Snoring - does anything work to stop it???

[ElizK]

DH and I have been sleeping separately for much of the past year because of his snoring. I am a very light sleeper, and just can't sleep through it. He does not have apnea, and he HAS talked to his doctor.

So my question for you: Have you or your spouse found anything that works to stop the snoring that is not related to apnea?

He is 44, I'm 42. We've been married 22 years... I really don't think this is that good for our marriage, but neither is not sleeping.

 

[Snoozan]

Could he stand to lose a few pounds? I've heard that's a factor for alot of snorers. And, has he had an actual sleep study done? If not, I think that would be the best place to start. It sounds like he would be a candidate for a C-Pap machine. Maybe he could give that a try?

 

[minkydog]

I echo the PP: has he actually had a sleep study done? Cuz there's a lot more to snoring than just snoring. It is very possible that he needs CPAP if his snoring is so bad you can't sleep in the same room with him. I don't particularly snore too much, DH says it's more like soft purring. I had a sleep study a few years ago just to check things out and lo and behold! I stopped breathing 70 times in the first hour. But nobody could hear it, it was only discernable during the test. needless to say, CPAP was in short order. I use it every night. No more snoring, even little purring snores.

 

[ElizK]

Could he stand to lose a few pounds? I've heard that's a factor for alot of snorers. And, has he had an actual sleep study done? If not, I think that would be the best place to start. It sounds like he would be a candidate for a C-Pap machine. Maybe he could give that a try?

He has gained a few pounds in the last couple of years, but is still well within the normal range for his height (he was scrawny before). His doctor did not think a sleep study was necessary because he doesn't have any of the symptoms for apnea, which is what a CPAP would treat, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Have you tried ear plugs. Seriously, they help me sleep.

Also, I was snoring some when the heat came on and my sinuses got dry. I put a humidifier in the bedroom and DH said I stopped snoring.

 

[minkydog]

He has gained a few pounds in the last couple of years, but is still well within the normale range for his height (he was scrawny before). His doctor did not think a sleep study was necessary because he doesn't have any of the symptoms for apnea, which is what a CPAP would treat, if I'm not mistaken.

I didmt have any real glaring symptoms either, not even loud snoring. My symptoms were very subtle. I was tired a lot and I gained weight. I didn't feel rested when I woke up even though I could easily sleep 8 hours a night.
I just thought I was a little depressed. I really didn't think I had a sleep disorder. I would strongly suggest your hubby have a sleep study, if for no other reason to rule out a sleep disorder. Once you know what it's NOT, then you can go about figuring out how to fix it.

 

[mousebymarriage]

Try holding a pillow over his face!

Ok. I understand your pain because my DH snores like a freight train is coming through the room, it's horrible. His father snored the same way and even louder. DH has tried the sprays that claim to stop snoring, the Breathe Right nose strips, sleeping with a humidifier, sleeping in a more upright position, special snore stopping pillows etc. and nothing actually works. To be honest with you I either sleep with earplugs in (which I don't like to do because I worry that one of the kids will need me during the night and I won't be able to hear them. Not that they ever do, I'm just paranoid), or he or I sleep in the livingroom when the snoring is really bad. I would rather sleep seperately occasionally than have either one of us miserable from lack of sleep (me from his snoring or him from me nudging him all night to stop snoring). He has snored this way for as long as I have known him-almost 22 years. Unfortunately losing weight doesn't help because he has snored like this when he was really thin, average and overweight.
DH has been told by the doc that if he has a procedure done, shaving down the uvula-(the little bally thing in the back of your throat) that it may very well stop his snoring. However, DH is afraid of surgery, even minor surgery and doesn't want to even discuss it. I hope someday he changes his mind.

 

[arminnie]

Surgery works. Can sometimes be done with radio frequency.

Sleep apnea cannot be diagnosed (or ruled out completely) w/o sleep study.

 

[Anne MN]

There are many causes for snoring-
like PP's have said-have the sleep study done, then you go from there

mouth anatomy, congestion, alcohol close to bedtime, weight, having nasal problems- a deviated septum.

 

[ElizK]

Try holding a pillow over his face!

Ok. I understand your pain because my DH snores like a freight train is coming through the room, it's horrible. His father snored the same way and even louder. DH has tried the sprays that claim to stop snoring, the Breathe Right nose strips, sleeping with a humidifier, sleeping in a more upright position, special snore stopping pillows etc. and nothing actually works. To be honest with you I either sleep with earplugs in (which I don't like to do because I worry that one of the kids will need me during the night and I won't be able to hear them. Not that they ever do, I'm just paranoid), or he or I sleep in the livingroom when the snoring is really bad. I would rather sleep seperately occasionally than have either one of us miserable from lack of sleep (me from his snoring or him from me nudging him all night to stop snoring). He has snored this way for as long as I have known him-almost 22 years. Unfortunately losing weight doesn't help because he has snored like this when he was really thin, average and overweight.
DH has been told by the doc that if he has a procedure done, shaving down the uvula-(the little bally thing in the back of your throat) that it may very well stop his snoring. However, DH is afraid of surgery, even minor surgery and doesn't want to even discuss it. I hope someday he changes his mind.

I could have written this entire post. Every last word, including the part about his father, except that my DH didn't get serious about the snoring until the last couple of years -- or I was better at sleeping through it.

DH refuses to do a sleep study because he won't use a CPAP if they decide he needs one, so why go through the expense?

 

[Forevryoung]

My mom is a light sleeper and my dad snores like a train.

My mom was worried that a CPAP machine would keep her awake at night just as much as the snoring (it's "loud")

After trying "everything" minus the CPAP, my dad had a snore guard dental appliance made for his mouth.

IT WORKS!

My mom has been sleeping through the night again and my dad isn't sleeping in the guest room most of the week. Seriously, look into it.

 

[ElizK]

My mom is a light sleeper and my dad snores like a train.

My mom was worried that a CPAP machine would keep her awake at night just as much as the snoring (it's "loud")

After trying "everything" minus the CPAP, my dad had a snore guard dental appliance made for his mouth.

IT WORKS!

My mom has been sleeping through the night again and my dad isn't sleeping in the guest room most of the week. Seriously, look into it.

Aha! here's something we haven't tried!! His dentist made it for him?

 

[rie'smom]

MY BIL had his excess soft palate and uvula removed and he's fine. It was done while he was awake and he had pain for a few days after but he said it was not too bad.

 

[minkydog]

I could have written this entire post. Every last word, including the part about his father, except that my DH didn't get serious about the snoring until the last couple of years -- or I was better at sleeping through it.

DH refuses to do a sleep study because he won't use a CPAP if they decide he needs one, so why go through the expense?

Too bad. Sleep disorders are very hard on the heart. He could very well be shortening his life. it's not just a matter of fatigue. It's the lack of oxygen that slowly promotes heart disease.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Too bad. Sleep disorders are very hard on the heart. He could very well be shortening his life. it's not just a matter of fatigue. It's the lack of oxygen that slowly promotes heart disease.

And pulmonary hypertension.

I agree he needs a sleep study.

 

[phillmolly]

I would also say insist on the sleep study!!! My DH snored like a freight train (and I know this for a fact since we used to live less than 100 feet from the train tracks!) for years! He never belived how loud he was until I taped him one night. The next day he mad a dr.s appt and then had a sleep study. He has sleep apnea. The Cpap machine saved our marriage! We both sleep much better with it. It did take him some time to get used to it, but now we both can't sleep without it. I need the noise (think white noise machine) to sleep. He sleeps so much better with it! Please ask your DH to consider getting a sleep study done!

 

[erincon23]

Check with your insurance before you do a sleep study! I've been bugging my DH for YEARS to have a sleep study -- I was convinced he had sleep apnea. His doctor gave him an RX for a sleep study several times, but he never wanted to take the time to go to a clinic. Finally, his dr. told him about a company that provides monitoring equipment that you use at home for three nights -- results came back that he does have apnea. The EOB came back from the insurance company (Blue Cross) -- they said they don't cover sleep studies (at $550/night! and it was for 3 nights!)! But they do cover the rental of the CPAP (obviously, we're contesting this -- you have to have a prescription to get the CPAP, and you can't get that without the sleep study).

Another word of warning -- if you are worried about your family's insurance holder losing their job, which could cause you to have to buy private health insurance -- the findings of the sleep study could cause you to not be able to get insurance. I wish we had thought about this before we went ahead and did it -- he waited all this time, he could have waited a little while more. We're facing losing our insurance (we're on COBRA right now) in the next two months, and I'm very worried that my DH won't be able to be covered.

And to the PP who asked if the OP's DH had gained weight -- that definitely affects snoring. My DH lost 30 pounds about 12 years ago and stopped snoring completely. He gained it back, started snoring again. That's when we seriously started talking about the sleep study. Recently, he's lost about 15 pounds, and the snoring has significantly diminished.

OP -- one thing that might help is a small fan pointed toward your DH's face, if he sleeps on his side. That's helped us a lot.

 

[cheshireqt]

I feel your pain. I poke DH until he rolls onto his side, facing away from me. If he lands on his back he sounds like the bear in the cave at SplashMtn. I sleep facing away from him. When he gains weight I have to wear earplugs, when he loses weight the snoring lessons. He won't do a sleep study either, nor will he ask the ENT about a deviated septum. I know there is something up medically b/c he does not breathe through his nose during sleep at all, and just barely when awake. Seems dangerous to me, but we have had several 'discussions' and they never go anywhere.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Can I just echo the other posters and say - MAKE HIM HAVE A SLEEP STUDY DONE! You can not diagnose a sleep disorder without one.

DH snores horribly loud and he was also dozing off during the day (even while driving!) so after years of urging he finally went to get his sleep study done and sure enough he does have sleep apnea and is borderline narcoleptic. He was fitted with the CPAP machine but refused to wear it until one particularly loud night where I was just sick and tired of getting woken up by his loud snoring and told him to get on the couch or put on the machine.

It only took 1 nite on the couch for him to finally try the machine. He has been using it religiously every night and has never felt better. He is well rested, has more energy, is in a much better mood and doesn't doze off during the day anymore.

Also - the CPAP that DH uses is virtually silent. I honestly do not hear a thing when he is wearing it. It did take him a few days to get used to it but now he sleeps through the night with it on and doesn't wake up until morning.

Getting a good night's rest is so vital to one's health (and their spouse's sanity). I hope for your sake that your DH takes this seriously and seeks help.

 

[MK2thcleaner]

I work in a dental office. The dentist can construct an appliance that basically "juts" the lower jaw forward since often the problem is it falls back and constricts the flow of air. Once made, it may need adjustment so that it works more efficiently. They are not guaranteed to work, but most people find they benefit them. Depending on the type of appliance, you're looking at $200-$700. The most effective ones require impressions so that it fits only his mouth.

Most recently we've received literature about a crazy new one that basically suctions on to the tongue to pull it forward and keeps the tongue sticking out of the mouth. It looks ridiculous and I can't believe it would help anyone, but it's only $125.

Good luck to you and your DH!