BS: Help: Snoring

Subject: Help: Snoring
From: GUEST,John A
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 02:40 PM

Hope you don't mind me asking, because it's starting to be a bit of a problem.

I've fairly recently moved in with my girlfriend (a few months), and everything is great, apart from sleeping...

The nights when I have a really good sleep, I apparently keep her awake all night with snoring.

Whenever I have a really bad and light sleep (for whatever reason) and wake up knackered, her first response is "that was great, you didn't snore!"

I know there was a previous thread, here about this, but there were no answers.

I really don't want seperate rooms, but I love her and want her to sleep well.

Thank you everyone

John A

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Margo
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 02:50 PM

There has been some guy on the radio here (Portland Oregon area) who advertises some sort of lazer therapy that causes tissues to tighten up (unless I've misunderstood). Perhaps someone in your area offers such a solution? Margo

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: GUEST,Mad4Mud at work
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 03:00 PM

My sisters and I all married snorers. One of my brothers-in-law went to a sleep clinic that gave some suggestions on how to avoid snoring. The one that works for him is, and I'm not kidding!, sewing a tennis ball onto the back of an old T-shirt (I guess you actually sew a pocket on and put the ball in that). He wears this at night and it keeps him from rolling onto his back which is the position he normally snores in.
It's nice that you care enough to try and solve the problem! Good luck!!

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Kim C
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 03:16 PM

Get her some earplugs.

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: dwditty
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 03:22 PM

The thread referred to above has a post by Barbara about apnea. My snoring was always the butt of many family jokes, but I just learned that I have suffered from obstructive sleep apnea since I was a kid - over 50 years. In this type of apnea, the throat relaxes to the point that the tissues close off the air supply. Less oxygen to the brain, wake up gasping for breath, etc. The body, being smart, adjusts by trying not to completely relax which prevents rem sleep which means I am often tired - except when playing on Paltalk. Anyway, there are three ways to treat it - a dental mouth piece which sometimes works if you have an overbite, surgery where they literally cut out tissue from your throat, and CPAP - the positve air pressure machine that, once you get used to feeling like Jason from the Halloween movies, works great. I finally feel refreshed in the morning. I'm able to sleep on my back. Absolutely no snoring, according to my wife.
Info

There are lots of online quizes at snoring/apnea sites to see if you have it.

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: rock chick
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 03:25 PM

I'v used earplugs for 26years and they work wonders, only problems I don't hear the bloddy alarm clock go off. Still you can't have all your own way.

Hope she can look back in 26 years, and you both feel the same about each other. Good Luck

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 04:48 PM

Watch out for sleep apnea, that's what makes you have a restless night. You stop breating for a short while and then start again. Drives anyone with you batty. It can be dealt with in several ways. Decapitation is one that I've often toyed with.

Losing some weight can help, as can not eating certain foods before bed. Alcohol consumption is also a factor as it totally relaxes your muscles.

There are strips available that stick to your nose that keep the nostrils open so that might help. Failing that, go for the tightening operation.... and take Manitas with you when you go please!!!

LTS - long suffering wife of snorer who has taken to getting her own back!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: DougR
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 06:59 PM

I've always been plagued with this problem. My wife said one time she thought she could cure it with a double barreled shot gun. The first shot, she opined, she would fire over my head. When I raised my head to see where the noice came from the second barrel would take care of the problem permanently. That's a bit drastic, I know, and thank goodness she never actually followed through. We finally solved it with separate bedrooms. You are a bit young for that though I would guess.

There is an operation that is reported to be very successful and a EENT physician quoted me a price of $2,500 recently. Insurance won't cover it though. Since I live alone, I don't worry about it anymore.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Helen
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 07:16 PM

JohnA,

You said that there were no answers in the other thread, but unfortunately I think that that is because there *are* no answers to the snoring problem. There are a lot of suggestions for ways to decrease the amount or volume of snoring, but not very much at all which claims to eliminate it.

Unfortunately, for me, I think that losing weight is my best option, but I haven't found the trick for that yet.

I have only been married a couple of years, but we sleep separately almost all the time now. Sad!! I miss that cuddling up as I fall asleep.

As for the laser treatment, a surgeon told me that it is very painful and that it is not a permanent solution - which is why I think that losing weight would be a more permanent - and less painful - solution for me.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Sorcha
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 07:20 PM

You might try the fairly new nasal strips that open the nostrils a little farther. Me, I use foam ear plugs. I can hear the alarm because it's loud, but not his snoring. The ear plugs also block out other noise such as traffic, TV/stereo from the family who is still awake, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: IvanB
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 07:38 PM

I'm with dwditty on this one. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 1995 and have used a CPAP ever since. Plays hell with spontaneity in our sex life, but it sure keeps me from snoring and I also awake much more refreshed than before I had it.

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Sorcha
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 08:04 PM

Then again, HE says I snore.......couldn't be true, could it? (grin)

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Finny
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 08:35 PM

May I suggest earplugs. They work for me! You can get those soft ones that you sqeeze when you put them in and they form to your ear (they're made of foam). I do night duty alot and with my housemate making suits of armour out the back, I find I don't even hear him.
This reminds me of a funny story... My fiance was awake one night, just lying ther, minding his own business and listening to me snore (for once!). When suddenly, I've woken myself up slapped him and said "Shuddup ya bastard!" and promptly went back to sleep.
Poor guy, but I refused to believe it the next morning.
Finn

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: pavane
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 04:38 AM

I put a desk fan close to my side of the bed, it drowns out the snoring partner quite well.

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 05:41 AM

Some snoring is merely annoying, and some -- when it is associated with sleep apnea -- can be life-threatening. (And I'm not talking about the threats from your partner, such as DougR mentioned!) So by all means, get yourself to a sleep medicine specialist and get wired up for a night...you could improve your and your partner's life considerably, and maybe even save your life.

If sleep apnea is not in the picture, then it would be reasonable to try things like the strips, changes in diet, sleep position aids like the tennis ball, or suggest the foam earplugs for your partner.

I've not heard much good about the laser surgery, except from the people who do it and are plugging it. But I could be wrong. I have one adolescent patient who is on CPAP and it has made a tremendous improvement, but it is a major hassle for him. Still, if you are suffering serious REM sleep deprivation or are showing signs of strain on your heart, it would be worth it, as it definitely does work.

I must admit I'm not speaking from personal experience here. I once went to the Crescent Beach folk gathering in Vancouver, B.C. A few of us went to the beach before the main activities started, and I lay down on the sand and immediately took a catnap, since I'd been on call the night before. After a while, my friend Jay Wilson asked me, "Were you asleep?" When I said that I had been, he replied, "Wow, you didn't make a sound. I'm sure glad I'm going to be YOUR roommate for the weekend!"

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Crazy Eddie
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 05:51 AM

Not first-hand, but I heard something about a bracelet-like device which gives a mild electric shock whenever you start to snore.
I believe the idea was to cause the wearer to move position and therefore to stop snoring (a bit like the tennis ball above).

Does hypnosis have any effect?

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 05:53 AM

Mark snores something wicked sometimes - and the cure is for me to sleep the other way up in the bed. I can still hear it but its less intrusive and doesn't keep me awake. Simple but effective.
I remember one night I got more and more furious with his snoring - and was digging him in the ribs, kicking him etc to try to wake him up enough to stop. It was a good half hour before I realised that it was the dog that was snoring.....

Kris

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Cappuccino
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 06:15 AM

Essential Health Products Ltd of Shrewsbury, England, make or distribute 'Stop Snoring', a kind of spray. Their website is http://www.stopsnoring.co.uk

I can't personally vouch for its suitability - I broke up with my girlfriend before I got round to trying it...

Stille Nachts.

- IanB

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Finny
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 09:21 AM

Well and good to try the sleep disorders unit...until they put you on something like C-PAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). This is a machine that makes noise. No thanks, I'd prefer the snoring. The other thing that works is to somehow stimulate the snoring person to roll over. A kiss, a poke in the ribs perhaps, it helps them to stop for a while, enough for you to get back to the land of Nod.

Hope this helps, Finn

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Metchosin
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 11:59 AM

dwditty and IvanB, I sure hope the new CPAP will work as well for my husband as it seems to have worked for you two. His GP recently prescribed one to him for his sleep apnea (not a success...long story). Don't know what brand of CPAP you were exposed to Finny, but this one was an extremely quiet machine, especially compared to his snoring. In fact our room was so quiet it gave me the creeps.

He has recently seen a Specialist and has an appointment at the Sleep Clinic and they hope to set him up eventually, on another machine, this one, a variable pressure CPAP with a heated humidfier, and for his sake and mine, I hope the new machine works for him. Sleep apnea can be life threatening.

Snoring is not a problem for me, I've survived it gladly for 29 years, in fact its sort of comforting, at least I know he's alive, its when he started to constantly stop breathing that drove me nuts. (I can't even hold my breath that long when I try) I'm sure he was black and blue and from all the nighttime "nudges" over the last couple of years, on top of me yelling "breathe, damn you! breathe!" all the time (and rolling over on your side does not cure apnea).

Regarding "lack of sponanaety", I not convinced. Gee! sleeping with a "fighter pilot" or "Darth Vader" is sort of interesting! "Hoseheads of the world, unite!"

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Kim C
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 12:45 PM

DougR, the family story goes that my great-grandmother shot and killed her 2nd husband (with a shotgun) after he came home drunk and threatened to hack her to pieces with an ax. After reading your post, I'm not so sure...

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: GUEST,Les B
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 01:37 PM

All this is very interesting. I've just set up an appointment to go to the sleep clinic for the second time. I tried the CPAP back in '91 and couldn't stand it, but my Doc says they have improved masks now !?! We'll see.

I've heard of the laser surgery, but have always been afraid it might affect my singing voice - which is kind of a touchy point between me and my spouse, since I don't sing for a living! We've slept in separate beds for years because of the snoring.

Of course I was the one that had to have the vasectomy, instead of her having her tubes tied, so, being a typical stubborn male, I'm reluctant to always be the one under the knife (or the laser).

I've tried the nose strips, and variations of the tennis ball - they don't do diddly.

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Metchosin
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 02:40 PM

LesB, hang in there, they also have something called nose pillows, instead of the masks, if you can't find one that doesn't annoy the p**s out of you. If it is any consolation, my husband found just the idea of using the thing so distressing that he had a full blown asthma attack, something that he hadn't had for many, many years.

He also found breathing out against the pressure initially, was so disconcerting that he figured he never be able to use it, but he did triumph. He still dislikes the mask, so hopefully when he has another go at the clinic they will try nose pillows as an alternative.

What thwarted him most on his first attempt with the machine was rampant allergies and sinus problems. That's being treated now, so he can breathe through his nose properly for the first time in a long while.

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Kim C
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 03:00 PM

Mister likes the nose strips. They seem to help him some. With him, though, it comes and goes, and if I'm stressed out and not sleeping well to begin with, I hear him more. Lately I am sleeping fine and haven't had to use the earplugs for awhile.

I have seen several adverts for different herbal preparations that are supposed to mitigate snoring, but no reports on if they work or not.

(Les, they make these things called condoms now... ;-) )

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Gareth
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 06:01 PM

A tennis ball sewn into a T Shirt may work - but how do I get the bl**dy dog to wear it ??

Sorry nearly time for my nightly fight with the hound to reclaim the bed.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 06:19 PM

Sypmtoms of sleep apnea include tiredness, light headedness, joint stiffness and other signs of oxygen deprivation. If you wake up feeling tireder than you went to bed, get checked out. And take Manitas with you!! He won't believe me!!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: DougR
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 11:21 PM

Kim C., I wonder if my wife knew your great grandmother?

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: GUEST,John Gray / Australia
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 12:01 AM

Had the laser beam op. about 5 years ago. Now, this really is a test of love as it's about the only operation I can think of that isn't for yourself - it's for your partner.
The pain was extraordinary, like having a flame thrower in the back of the throat plus a couple of litres of sulphuric acid. After a day of agony I went back to the doc to complain ( by taxi as I couldn't even drive ) and it turned out his staff had forgotten to give me the morphine tablets the day before. A couple of those and I was hunky-dory.
Think about it though if you're a singer. Part of the op. involved cutting off the epiglottis and now there are certain sounds that I can't achieve anymore.
My snoring was reduced by about 80%, then I gave up my cigars, put on weight, and the snoring came back with almost the same intensity. As the weight builds up under the chin it stretches the parts that were stiffened by the laser burn and snoring returns.
Was it all worth it? I'm $3000 out of pocket and divorced anyway. Arrrgggghhh what one does for love !

JG / F.M.E.

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: DougR
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 01:19 PM

You're story, JG/F.M.E., is the best argument I have heard for someone with a real snoring problem (read me)to stay single.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Jack The Lad
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 02:23 PM

Liz Is that good or bad?-Please say it's good. Jack The Lad

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 02:59 PM

Sorry Jack..... not good.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: GUEST,Les B
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 03:30 PM

Metchosin: I've not heard of the "nose pillows" - I'll check it out when I go to the clinic.

Kim C: Condoms? - We couldn't afford one of those ritzy little apartments back then :') (Or do you mean the things that are like taking a shower with a raincoat on ??)

John Gray: You've confirmed my worst suspicions. No laser surgery for me. Sounds like you might have had a good malpractice suit, what with the lack of morphine !

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: DougR
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 08:16 PM

Yeah! Sue Sue, John!

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 09:58 PM

If you are at all alergic to latex and intend to use the CPAP device it would be a good idea to be sure that latex rubber is not used to help with the air seal. I had no idea that I was alergic to latex until I started breaking out with red spots and sores around my nose. I understand that some people can have rather violent reactions to latex.

cap't bob

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Helen
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 10:12 PM

Thanks John G for confirming what I had heard about the laser surgery. The unspoken message I got from the surgeon was that he wouldn't do it to his worst enemy.

I had some sort of laser treatment on the palate I think, when I had my op but I don't remember any particular effects from that. I was recovering badly from the general anaesthetic though, so I don't remember much at all about it, except waking up with bandages up my nose and being really afraid of suffocating.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: IvanB
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 10:30 PM

Les B, I initially had the mask when I got my CPAP and the bridge of my nose was raw within three or four days. I couldn't seem to adjust it so that it would not chafe and yet be effective. The doctor sent me back to the supplier for the nose pillows and they worked wonders. Every now and then I'll get a bit of irritation from them as well, but I just switch back to the mask for a day or so and it clears right up. And as far as noise, yes, my wife can hear the machine but it's nowhere near the volume of my snoring. My biggest complaint is that on our trips to the seashore, she can hear the waves at night but I no longer can.

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: GUEST,Les B
Date: 10 Aug 01 - 03:54 PM

I've often wondered about the latex allergy rearing its ugly head with the CPAP masks. A few years ago a local teacher developed an intolerance, and was aware that rubber gloves for dishwashing and other items were causing her to have rashs, etc.

One day she had a banana (which has a connection with latex) and her husband awakened in the middle of the night to discover her choking and turning purple. By the time he got her to the hospital she was essentially a vegetable and remained so. It is a sad and really scary example of what a severe allergic reaction can do.

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 12:22 AM

IvanB ~ I had no problems with the regular mask until I happened to get one with the thin layer of latex where the mask comes into contact with the skin. My symptoms were probably much like yours. Just curious to know if your original mask had the thin laytex seal. I had no previous problems with latex, however, the difficulties most likely came about by being in prolonged contact with the stuff. Seven to eight hours a night.

A friend of mine had the lazer surgery and he told me that he would definitely not recommend that procedure to anyone

Cap't bob.

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: lady penelope
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 06:38 AM

Parker snores like a small logging community but it seems to be triggered by stress. In fact if I rub his tummy whilst he snores, he shuts up after a few seconds. However, this effect only lasts as long as I'm rubbing his stomache, aargh!

Good posture in bed makes a big difference, if your posture is good, you relax, your airways aren't blocked etc. So you need a good bed, pillows ( the last physio and osteopath I saw both recommended feather pillows as they can be moulded to suit each person, I don't know if there's a synthetic version if you're allergic to feathers ).

Lavender oil ( you can get lavender pillows etc. ) I find this works great 'cos not only does Parker shut up but it puts me out like a light too! Draw back, have a tendency to sleep through the alarm. Heh!

Making Parker get physically tired before he goes to bed ( regular exercise of any kind whatever your preferance ) though I find this difficult to enforce as Parker views excersise as an obscene act.

Basically, your main problem is identifying WHY it is you're snoring.

Good Luck

TTFN M'Lady P.

Subject: RE: BS: Help: Snoring
From: Helen
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 08:10 PM

Lady P, if the obscene act were the exercise??? No, forget I said that.

I use a feather pillow and it is very good, although the feathers do settle after a while and need re-moulding. I shape it so that it supports my neck.

Thanks for the lavender oil suggestion - I'll try that. Lavender is my favourite - every other scent could disappear from the earth and I wouldn't notice it as long as I still had lavender.

As to singing: I have been wondering if some singing lessons, with breathing exercises using the diaphragm, and doing scales etc would help by improving the muscle tone in my throat and improving my breathing habits. What do you all think about that idea?

Helen