Question for Snorers and Their Partners

All along we were positive my husband was going to be the mask user, but it turned out to be me. However, he is a hellacious snorer yet has minimal, if any, apnea on two studies done 3 years apart. He also has REM behavior disorder which is currently under discussion with his physiatrist (meds are tricky because he had a traumatic brain injury 13 years ago - still has IQ of 132 but sequencing issues). For those of you who snore, besides your machine do chin straps help? We do notice if he sleeps on his right side he doesn't snore, but on his left side or back he does. Can't sleep on stomach due to neck and back fractures he received with the TBI. This is all on Workers Comp so everything is a battle. But, we desperately need help with the snoring as even with me on CPAP, my sleep pattern is a disaster from the constant awakening. Can get the REM stuff dealt with, but the snoring? HELP.

Would a body pillow placed behind his back when he is on his right side keep him on that side? Another thing that might work is putting tennis balls into pockets that are sewn into the left side of the back of a t-shirt... when he attempts to roll over onto left side, the tennis balls will nudge him back onto his right side. It's possible that this would condition his sleeping to the point that he wouldn't need them anymore.

In March 2013 I had to make the sleeping apart call. My beloved would wake me up snoring, puffing, gasping and apnic. She berated me for waking her up with same, plus my PTS nightmares. Neither of us were getting any quality sleep.

Then I was diagnosed with OSA Summer of 2013 & started APAP/CPAP in September 2013. My new bed-side breathing buddy just made the tough decision permanent. Will take extra TLC to minimize abandonment feelings.

Now one if us gets great sleep, has lower blood pressure, heals quickly, and generally feels great for a 65 year old. My nightmares are greatly reduced and much less scary (e.g. don't wake up in "Red Alert" mode). Sadly, it us not my undiagnosed wife of 42 years

Don

Catlizg wrote:All along we were positive my husband was going to be the mask user, but it turned out to be me. However, he is a hellacious snorer yet has minimal, if any, apnea on two studies done 3 years apart. He also has REM behavior disorder which is currently under discussion with his physiatrist (meds are tricky because he had a traumatic brain injury 13 years ago - still has IQ of 132 but sequencing issues). For those of you who snore, besides your machine do chin straps help? We do notice if he sleeps on his right side he doesn't snore, but on his left side or back he does. Can't sleep on stomach due to neck and back fractures he received with the TBI. This is all on Workers Comp so everything is a battle. But, we desperately need help with the snoring as even with me on CPAP, my sleep pattern is a disaster from the constant awakening. Can get the REM stuff dealt with, but the snoring? HELP.

To me, snoring is "sound effects".......caused by nasal congestion and/or nasal structural issues. Snoring sounds can either be sounds from nasal or mouth breathing. If there are nasal obstructions, it can be a nasal snore. If a person has trouble breathing through their nose, their mouth will open and the sounds will be from the throat.

Nasal cleansing can reduce nasal obstructions and lessen nasal snoring. It will also reduce the probability that the mouth will fall open (to breathe) because the person is able to inhale enough air through their noses.

If the problem is nasal structure (enlarged turbinates and/or deviated septum) and nasal cleansing doesn't work, then they may need to visit with an ENT to see if surgery is a possible solution.


Den

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Thanks for all the suggestions. His snoring is from jaw sliding back and tongue obstructing, but, somehow no apnea. Never measured the decibels, but he's LOUD. The irony in all this is that about 20 years ago he slipped and fell, "separating" his right shoulder. Right side sleeping is the only non snoring position but because of the neck and back issues he cannot stay on his right side all night long. He's a deep sleeper and I've become an incredibly light sleeper. We are seeing the doc Monday for the REM behavior disorder and he wants to try Snore Rx to see if that helps with snoring. Tried the tennis balls; he somehow manages ro sleep on them.

I think we are going to have to resort to separate rooms. Even with the cpap his issues end up keeping me awake which plays hell with any kind of sleep pattern for me. At least now when I do get some sleep I'm at least oxygenating. LOL. He's willing to try anything, but without apnea - no medical necessary treatment (exhausted, cranky wife doesn't count).

He could try one of the mouth appliances, maybe it would help for him, & worth a try. Think you can buy at dentist- probably expensive, or maybe try one from the drugstore that you boil & fit to mouth of wearer. I have seen this one offered via mail order in the Sunday paper on occasion, called Sleep Ez and they are 12.99, from DreamProducts dot com. Contact me via PM and I will give you their phone number if you want it. Not sure if I can post any "ads" on this forum.

I am seriously considering trying it for my hubby, who also snores but has not had a sleep study- we can't afford it. As long as I wear my CPAP, I don't snore anymore.

Have you tried either ear plugs, or just plain old loving the snoring? For me, my hubby has snored since we met & call me crazy but I've always loved the sound. It sounds like a giant cat purr. I wanted my hubby to get sleep tested for his health for many years before he did so. I miss the purrs, but I'm glad he is successfully using CPAP.

Seriously, how about ear plugs? This would give the non snoring bed partner a quiet night, while still allowing you to still share a bed. Just a thought...

Jen

Hav.

Have you tried either ear plugs, or just plain old loving the snoring? For me, my hubby has snored since we met & call me crazy but I've always loved the sound. It sounds like a giant cat purr. I wanted my hubby to get sleep tested for his health for many years before he did so. I miss the purrs, but I'm glad he is successfully using CPAP.

Seriously, how about ear plugs? This would give the non snoring bed partner a quiet night, while still allowing you to still share a bed. Just a thought...

I think we are going to try the cervical collar and an OTC bite plate. Costs $1000-$3000 at dentists. Anywhere from 10-100 OTC. As far as earplugs - have tried them, but since his brain injury, my husband can sleep through anything and I mean anything (he once fell asleep in the same room as my son's band during a practice (drums, bass, keyboards, two guitars). One of us has to be able to hear things and the REM stuff is dangerous (see below). I've tried just dealing with it, but he's so loud it is impossible. No gentle purr outta this guy, more like three 18 wheelers revving up at the same time.

Part of the big issue here is that he has very little, if any, apnea on two testings. So....no treatment deemed medically necessary. If he does develop OSA, that part would go through Medicare. On the other hand, the REM sleep disorder is Workers Comp related secondary to his TBI in 2001; that is going to require a med as he is either going to severely hurt himself, the dogs and/or me one of these days. I've already been punched in the face and kicked with hubby completely unaware as he is reacting to his dream. Of course, neither insurance or comp will pay for anything that falls under the others realm. Sigh. We will get there sooner or later. Thank you, thank you for all the suggestions.

I use the CPAP, which essentially stopped my snoring. My wife snores
Ear plugs work great for me.

I've always thought that just because you snore doesn't necessarily mean you have sleep apnea... but most people with sleep apnea will snore....

Sheriff

Eureka! I went for my compliance check. Down from ahi of 34 to ahi of <1. Hitting all stages of sleep and dreaming. Yahoo for me. Now to my husband's severe snoring. He had been sent to Dent Neurology for his study by his physiatrist to evaluate for REM Behavior Disorderand possible apnea because of the severity of his snoring and choking. While we were checking me out and arranging next visit, I asked what procedure would be for my husband to go. Since my GP does many referrals, they said they could book him right then. I told the tech he had a study done but not at their facility. IT was in their system because a copy was sent to our GP who participates in the group. BINGO. Should be able to go right to trial to see what prevents snoring. Bob doesn't care about machine but concerned about mask. He does think he'd go for a nasal mask if needed. We will see. But at least we are on the road to help.

Wulfman... wrote:

Catlizg wrote:All along we were positive my husband was going to be the mask user, but it turned out to be me. However, he is a hellacious snorer yet has minimal, if any, apnea on two studies done 3 years apart. He also has REM behavior disorder which is currently under discussion with his physiatrist (meds are tricky because he had a traumatic brain injury 13 years ago - still has IQ of 132 but sequencing issues). For those of you who snore, besides your machine do chin straps help? We do notice if he sleeps on his right side he doesn't snore, but on his left side or back he does. Can't sleep on stomach due to neck and back fractures he received with the TBI. This is all on Workers Comp so everything is a battle. But, we desperately need help with the snoring as even with me on CPAP, my sleep pattern is a disaster from the constant awakening. Can get the REM stuff dealt with, but the snoring? HELP.

To me, snoring is "sound effects".......caused by nasal congestion and/or nasal structural issues. Snoring sounds can either be sounds from nasal or mouth breathing. If there are nasal obstructions, it can be a nasal snore. If a person has trouble breathing through their nose, their mouth will open and the sounds will be from the throat.

Nasal cleansing can reduce nasal obstructions and lessen nasal snoring. It will also reduce the probability that the mouth will fall open (to breathe) because the person is able to inhale enough air through their noses.

If the problem is nasal structure (enlarged turbinates and/or deviated septum) and nasal cleansing doesn't work, then they may need to visit with an ENT to see if surgery is a possible solution.


Den

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x2
Do a sinus wash
use breath rite strips
pick up a nasal steroid

big difference

Also rema-tee back pillow to avoid back sleeping