How do you cope with a snoring partner when there's no other room to escape to?

[diberry]

This must be a common problem and I was wondering how other people cope. My DH is a lovely man and we've been happily married for nearly 35 years but he snores incredibly loudly, pretty much all night. At home there are other rooms I can escape to so I can get some peace and quiet to sleep, but in a hotel that isn't an option. One year at WDW I was getting no more than about 2 - 3 hours sleep a night and ended up having to sleep all morning after he'd got up, which isn't really how I wanted to spend my precious time at WDW!
Has anyone found a way out of this situation? I'm sure it must happen a lot.
We are staying at Saratoga Springs next month and I'm just wondering if we should upgrade from a studio to a 1-bedroom villa - it seems a lot of extra money to pay but on the other hand, not being able to sleep when you're walking in the heat and humidity all day, is not funny!

 

[Sweets156]

This must be a common problem and I was wondering how other people cope. My DH is a lovely man and we've been happily married for nearly 35 years but he snores incredibly loudly, pretty much all night. At home there are other rooms I can escape to so I can get some peace and quiet to sleep, but in a hotel that isn't an option. One year I was getting no more than about 2 - 3 hours sleep a night and ended up having to sleep all morning after he'd got up, which isn't really how I wanted to spend my precious time at WDW!
Has anyone found a way out of this situation? I'm sure it must happen a lot.
We are staying at Saratoga Springs next month and I'm just wondering if we should upgrade from a studio to a 1-bedroom villa - it seeems a lot of extra money to pay but on the other hand, not being able to sleep when you're walking in the heat and humidity all day, is not funny!

Maybe try the breath right strips? Or even earplugs. Just set an alarm and make him aware that he is responsible for hearing it and waking you up! Maybe even an iPod?

 

[clandrum]

I understand your problem. Last labor day I took my dad to St. louis and we shared a hotel room and by the end of the trip I was so misserable and cranky I vowed to never share a hotel room with him again. He has sleep apnea and did not take his machine. Has your husband been tested for this? If he has it a machine can help tremendesly also it can save his life.
But for your question at hand if it bothers you that much I would get another room. Right now it might seem like a lot more money but during your trip you will be well rested and happy which can make yours and you husband trip great.
I know if I am not happy no one around me is happy!

 

[skier_pete]

DW snores badly when she gets a bit of a cold/allergies. I use earplugs, it works great.

 

[diberry]

Thank you all! Which ear plugs are good? I've tried "Hearos" which have a good reputation but this is a man whose snoring can be heard from downstairs or from 2 bedrooms away and nothing wakes him up! I think I'll have to upgrade so we have 2 rooms!

 

[Michelle and crew]

Just a thought, but you might want to have him go through a sleep study. A cpap might be the answer to his breathing issues, and your sleep issues. Good luck.

 

[newdeal]

Definitely he should have a sleep study done. If he has obstructive sleep apnea they will give him a cpap machine. That is good because sleep apnea is directly linked to congestive heart failure. If he doesn't then try finding a dentist that can make him a snoring appliance which may help I'm stop snoring

 

[diberry]

Thank you!

 

[onnawufei]

I'm basically agreeing with what everyone else has said, and with an extra vote for an iPod. My DH doesn't snore too badly, but he likes to sleep with the TV on while we're on vacation and it drives me nuts. This year I plan on using my iPod while I sleep to drown it out. When I use it at home I just wear headphones that are flat so I can still lay on my sides, and I put the iPod itself under my pillow.

 

[diberry]

I'm basically agreeing with what everyone else has said, and with an extra vote for an iPod. My DH doesn't snore too badly, but he likes to sleep with the TV on while we're on vacation and it drives me nuts. This year I plan on using my iPod while I sleep to drown it out. When I use it at home I just wear headphones that are flat so I can still lay on my sides, and I put the iPod itself under my pillow.

Thank you - that's a great idea.

 

[trapad419]

Ear plugs!!!!

 

[summerlady]

I bring foam earplugs. I can still hear the snores but it's muffled enough for the noise not to bother me.

 

[kleigh1969]

Thank you all! Which ear plugs are good? I've tried "Hearos" which have a good reputation but this is a man whose snoring can be heard from downstairs or from 2 bedrooms away and nothing wakes him up! I think I'll have to upgrade so we have 2 rooms!

I am a very light sleeper and use earplugs almost every night, especially when traveling. However, I'm not sure any earplug would completely drown out the noise you are describing if he can be heard from a couple rooms away, and you are right next to him. Maybe you could get the extra room AND use the earplugs!

Here is an article on earplugs from someone who loves them as much as I do!

http://www.slate.com/id/2118800/

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Perhaps a product like Tylenol PM will help you sleep more soundly? I know it works for me...but experiment with it before leaving home. I know if I take them too late relative to when I have to get up I am still a bit groggy.

 

[frayedend]

My wife gets pretty mad at me. I have slept on the balcony on a cruise ship and in one case in the bathtub.

Now I take a decongestant prior to going to bed and use the breath right strips and that seems to help enough. I aslo stay up until everyone is asleep.

 

[mousireid]

I slept with my MIL in a room and she REFUSED to believe she was snoring! She would suddenly wake up and say "Oh no, I am just breathing heavy...!" How I wished I had a recorder! Those small yellow foam earplugs and pillows DID work but we couldn't afford another room and being in denial meant it was on me! I always tried to fall asleep before her with the plugs in but we made it through.
Actually we stayed a few nights beside a train track once and they worked good for that too (it helps to be exhausted).

 

[WDWMarathonManiac]

I have the same problem! My DH can win ANY snoring contest, and we try to get a suite with a door between the bedroom and the rest of the suite whenever possible. Sometimes, a suite is not available or too expensive. When that happens, I make DH sleep in a "head fort!" Basically, I construct a structure around and above his head out of stacked pillows. The pillows really absorb most of the snoring sound and I also wear high quality earplugs to block out any snoring that gets through the pillows. To prevent a pillow "cave-in," we bring duct tape and tape the "head fort" structure together!

 

[diberry]

Thank you all very much - it obviously is a common problem and I really appreciate all your helpful suggestions!
kleigh1969 - thank you for the link - very interesting!
frayedend - love the bath tub idea - that's a possibility if things get desperate I suppose! Or on the tiny balcony!
WDWMarathonManiac - love the head fort idea!

 

[LilGMom]

My first answer was a pillow over his head but figured that could throw a kink into the entire trip so I'd go with earplugs. I also like the idea that some PPs have given of taking an MP3 player. If you have an iTouch there are a lot of free white noise apps out there like rain, thunder, etc.

My DH used to snore really really loudly and snort throughout the night. After months of me bugging him (he might say nagging) he finally went and had a sleep study done. Once we brought the CPAP machine home we both started getting better sleep. That CPAP is my best friend and it travels with us in it's own little bag.

 

[diberry]

My first answer was a pillow over his head

This has occurred to me many many times!!!

I also like the idea that some PPs have given of taking an MP3 player. If you have an iTouch there are a lot of free white noise apps out there like rain, thunder, etc.

I've got one that sounds like an air conditioner but loud - haven't tried it yet but it's a promising idea.