Help! Snoring, need advice!

[firebirdgold]

Does anyone have any suggestions for stopping snoring?? I''m desperate, I had to sleep on the couch last night, and he''s miserable today with almost no sleep.

I use an anti-snoring pillow, wear the nose strips. nada, no help. It''s not my weight or other habits since I''ve been snoring since I was a kid. It''s not the position since I am capable of not only snoring on my sides, but also on my stomach! And it''s loud! My bf said he got up and read for a while in the living room and it was still loud! (This is not the first person to complain I''m audible from a distance). I''ve asked and he says I don''t stop breathing, so no sleep apnea or whatever it''s called.

According to him, I usually only snore briefly when falling asleep or shallowly asleep and if poked I''ll stop. (I''ve been told that before) But occasionally I''ll just start up again. He says it seems to be a function of how tired I am. Last night I started snoring even before I totally fell asleep. It''s like I was mostly asleep but not entirely. It surprises me when he pokes me and I''m like ''but I''m not asleep yet!''. And last night I kept snoring. Poke, roll over, snore, poke roll over snore....
I fully woke up when he got up and started taking a blanket off the bed at 5am. The poor thing is so stressed, and he has this big workshop starting today that he had to get up early for, with no sleep! So of course I''m not going to let my 6'' miserable guy sleep on the couch when I''m the one snoring!

Does anyone please have any suggestions or advice?

 

[strmrdr]

changes in snoring can be a sign of a medical problem.
Call your doctor and get an appointment with a sleep specialist.

 

[monarch64]

Wren, I agree with Storm, see your doctor at your earliest convenience. They can refer you to a sleep specialist, if needed.

One of my girlfriends wears ear plugs at night because her husband snores...it seems to help their situation out quite a bit.

Have you tried getting more sleep at night so you''re not SO tired when you go to bed? I know it''s easier said than done. Even if you can catch a 15-20 min. power nap somewhere, that might help you.

I feel your pain...sometimes I snore when I''m really tired and it drives my husband crazy. OTOH, last night he and the dog were BOTH snoring on and off all night! I had the worst night''s sleep ever!

 

[lost on 5th]

a dr. would be a good idea. my father used to go in for sleep studies. it turned out he suffered from sleep apnea and had to have a minor surgery to correct it..

sleep apnea info here

hope this helps

 

[firebirdgold]

Eh, I was kinda hoping a Doctor wouldn''t be the consensus.

I''ve had the nasty feeling fixing this may involve surgery.

Well I''m convinced. I''m calling my Ear, Nose, and throat Doc right after lunch hours.

Since I snore less on my back (according to a very tired bf), it''s unlikely to be my throat or other normal snoring causes. The most likely culprit is my nose then. *sigh* I hope it''s allergies and not the shape.


Why couldn''t I have a bf who slept like a log instead of like a cat on speed?

 

[pebbles]

You may actually have sleep apnea and not even know it. My uncle has it and wears this special mask to sleep. I thought it sounded uncomfortable but he says after a couple of nights of using it he now gets such a good night sleep that he doesn''t even notice it.

I snore when my allergies are bothering me, which is almost all year round. Mine is caused from post nasal drip. If I take Benedryl or an antihistamine before I go to bed I don''t snore. I also sleep up on two pillows in the spring when my allergies are really bad.

 

[Slykat12]

Yeah!!!!! Finally a subject where I am an expert. I am a licensed Respiratory therapist. I have done sleep studies. RTs know all about breathing and I have a masters in Psych where I have studied sleep and sleeping brain activity in detail...


All the other people are correct you must see a doctor either an ear nose and throat or better yet a pulmonologist specializing in sleep disorders.

Any snoring means that air cannot get into and out of your lungs with ease. There is a restriction of some sort that creates the noise . Breathing should never be work. Often times simple positioning can relieve the snoring, other times our anatomy gets in the way like giant tonsils a stuffy nose ect ect.

Some people snore due to the fact that their upper airway sort of collapses more than it should creating obstruction. From what you have indicated this sounds like your problem.

Surgery is a last resort in all snoring cases.

Weight loss, positioning, having the baby-"pregnant woman often snore", eliminating ETOH at bedtime and any sort of meds that depress the central nervous system and not allowing yourself to get overly tired may solve the problem. Also if you have allergies you may need to have that evaluated.

Second line of defense may be oral and nasal devices that work to keep the airway patent or open. This also includes a machine called cpap that you wear while sleeping over your nose or your nose and mouth.

If you are in the Los Angeles area I would be happy to recommend someone.

Good luck-I used to snore as a kid too. Also just because you snored all your life does not mean excessive weight is not the cause. Children often snore due to inflammed airways due to the numerous viruses ect that we have while growing up. A swollen tonsil is enough to make a child snore as their airway is allready narrow enough due to their small bodies.

Even as little as 10 pounds of extra weight can cause you to snore.

 

[bar01]

My wife and I both snore. We have for years – even before we met. Combination of reasons for it as mentioned by others.

We argue over whos snoring is worse - but my snoring does not usually bother her - but hers would not allow me to sleep at all - I am a light sleeper.

Soft disposable foam ear plugs from the pharmacy have allowed me sleep peacefully - even allowing my wife and daughter to be up or watching TV when I sleep at night ---- or for a quick nap on the weekends.

By all means consult a doctor - but get some earplugs and get back in bed!

 

[msdarlinjoy]

Date: 2/27/2006 5:28:50 PM
Author: Kimberly
Yeah!!!!! Finally a subject where I am the expert. I am a licensed Respiratory therapist. I have done sleep studies. RTs know all about breathing ANNNND I have a masters in Psych where I have studied sleep and sleeping brain activity in detail...


All the other people are correct you must see a doctor either an ear nose and throat or better yet a pulmonologist specializing in sleep disorders.

Any snoring means that air cannot get into and out of your lungs with ease. There is a restriction of some sort that creates the noise . Breathing should never be work. Often times simple positioning can relieve the snoring, other times our anatomy gets in the way like giant tonsils a stuffy nose ect ect.

Some people snore due to the fact that their upper airway sort of collapses more than it should creating obstruction. From what you have indicated this sounds like your problem.

Surgery is a last resort in all snoring cases.

Weight loss, positioning, having the baby-''pregnant woman often snore'', eliminating ETOH at bedtime and any sort of meds that depress the central nervous system and not allowing yourself to get overly tired may solve the problem. Also if you have allergies you may need to have that evaluated.

Second line of defense may be oral and nasal devices that work to keep the airway patent or open. This also includes a machine called cpap that you wear while sleeping over your nose or your nose and mouth.

If you are in the Los Angeles area I would be happy to recommend someone.

Good luck-I used to snore as a kid too. Also just because you snored all your life does not mean excessive weight is not the cause. Children often snore due to inflammed airways due to the numerous viruses ect that we have while growing up. A swollen tonsil is enough to make a child snore as their airway is allready narrow enough due to their small bodies.

Even as little as 10 pounds of extra weight can cause you to snore.

Ok ...
The snoring sound you hear is actually "you poping open your airway as you gasp to get air into your airway". There is nothing normal about snoring. Doesn''t matter how old or how young you are, how skinny or how fat you are. Snoring is not normal.

It is true you need to consult you primary care physician. He/She can then properly give you a check up and narrow down what might be making you snore, and then refer you to the appropriate specialty, ENT or Neurologist, Pulonologist, someone who is a board certified Dr who specializes in sleep medicine.

Surgery is not always neccesary! Stop right there!

Snoring could be as simple as your tonsils and adnoids are enlarged. I snored as a kid and finally got my tonsils & adnoids out at age 23, and my snoring went down considerably! It could mean that you have a diviated septum (crooked nasal passage) (I have one of these too ... haven''t got the courage up yet to do the roto-rooter job), it could mean you have an infection, it could mean you have allergies(Have these too), it could mean alot of things. Only your doctor can determine how much at risk you are for serious problems.

Yes, there are many of us who do snore, sometimes only briefly ... but you should or anyone should let their physician know so they can be aware of this abnormality. There are things that are "normally" abnormal, and then there are things that are abnormally abnormal ... does this make sense? I am trying to say this in regualr everyday people language.

Denial that there is a problem is a not so good thing.

My husband who also is in the Medical field, and is a Registered Resp. Therapist / Care Practitioner say''s ... "Your red blood cells carry oxygen and your body uses it, once the oxygen is used up the body must replenish it by inhaling, if your body doens''t do a good job replenishing it, your oxygen saturation drops which puts you at risk for heart attack, and stroke."

So, go see your doctor, it may be something simple. It may be something else, but at least you can do something about it now, while your alive.

I know someone who was 32 who was found dead in the bed by his wife about 2 months ago. Autopsy report, died in his sleep from a myocardial infarction (Heart attack) related to undiagnosed sleep apnea.

Go see the doctor! Please!

 

[Slykat12]

Dunno why you quoted me I sense some sacarsm but since you said essentially the same thing I assume you agree. BTW Docs don't do the sleep studies RTs do and we write the report and determine with our machines whether or not apnea occured. The MD takes what we say and decides the next course of action. Which could be one of many things. AND I will give you my Demantoid if you can find an MD that knows how to work a cpap machine!!!!

AND NOT all snorers Oxygenation is negatively effected.Only a small percentage. That only occurs in patients where people stop breathing all together due to complete airway collapse. These are the people that awake with a gasp to pop open their airway after a period of NO snoring. These people present with many more symptoms than the first poster posted such as exhaustion T/O the day. If snoring is continuous the person is ventilating enough to keep their oxygen level normal that is why you can hear them breath/snore.


BTW In this last situation the sound of someone snoring is good!

I don't think there is a need to assume the worst and frighten someone when there is no need. Wren has told us that her bf has not noted breathing ceasation.

RCP,RRT,BA,MS

 

[firebirdgold]

Ok, called my primary physcian and I have an appt for tomorrow. After hearing you guys, I figured it was best not to assume it's my nose. And if you go to a nose doc, that's what he'll treat!

It's not my tonsils or adnoids, since I had all that stuff (and the thing in my ears) taken out when I was four. I had so many infections I lost most of my hearing! (came back).

Adding to the motivation to get this fixed, my bf admitted to stuffing his ears with toliet paper once!

Not acceptable. It's gotta make him wonder if he really does want to spend every night for the rest of his life with me!
In the meantime, I think I'll get some foam earplugs and leave them by the side of the bed at both places.

ETA: I'm pretty sure there's a sleep clinic in my state, if that seems necessary. While I'm not in the medical field, I really don't see how my soft tissue could collapse when I'm on my stomach! It's just weird. I've often gone on the theory that my nose is too small!

 

[Slykat12]

I think it is kinda cute that the female is the snorer. hehehe My bf kept me up with snoring for the first month we dated then it stopped by using a nasal spray. THANK GOD!!! I understand your bf situation . He is lucky that u r considerate enough to find a cure.

 

[mingagreen]

Oh Wren you brought up a great subject!! I am sorry you are having snoring problems and unfortunately I think alot of couples have sleep issues. I for one do. My husband actually sleeps in a separate room and we have only been married 4 years, it stinks!! I don''t know why he snores but sometimes he snores so load that I can here him upstairs (he is downstairs) we have tried the strips, the throat spray, doesn''t help. He is so weary of Dr.s so getting him to one is tough. I hope everything works out for you and let us know what they say!!

What is the nasal spray???

 

[Slykat12]

He uses this one http://www.astelin.com/

It was trial and error as he does''nt have allergies in the traditional sense but environmental conditions occassionally irritate his nasal passages and his nostrils react via inflammation =restriction=snoring! Sometimes simple and cheap Saline sprays "salt water" does the trick too by rinsing out the irritants . Other times a spray such as Astelin helps as it is an anti histamine-which prevents inflammation in the first place. If these too things don''t clear chronic nasal congestion inhaled streroids are the next step.

PS don''t even think of those over the counter nasal sprays such as Afrin. They are no good and dangerous for many reasons.

 

[msdarlinjoy]

Date: 2/28/2006 11:28:26 AM
Author: Kimberly
Dunno why you quoted me
(I did because you had good things to say

)

I sense some sacarsm but since you said essentially the same thing I assume you agree.
(No sarcasm orriginally intended. That is one of the difficult things about being on a public forum, it is sometimes hard to decifer tone.)

(If I wanted to be sarcastic I would have said something to the effect of your original post "I am finally an expert on a subject" ... I would have said "Yeah, that''s right, and I am just the nurse"

For all of you non medical people out there, there has been this not so secret rivalry between most Resp therp''s & RN''s ... Most RN''s think they know it all (they don''t by the way ... careful I might get my lisc. revoked for saying that!), and don''t give the RT proper and due respect for what they do know & contibute. I personally married an RT & I am an RN ... oxymoron! I think he married me because I admit that I don''t know it all, and I practice within my scope, I also admit and trust my life with an ICU/ER RT therapist anyday! They know their stuff "who do the rn''s call when the vent''s not working and the alarms are buzzing? The RT!

BTW Docs don''t do the sleep studies RTs do
(Yes you are correct, (Polysom tech''s can do sleep studies too) did I say the Dr. is the one actually doing the sleep study? I don''t see where I said that?) and we write the report and determine with our machines whether or not apnea occured. (Of course you guys do!) The MD takes what we say and decides the next course of action. Which could be one of many things. AND I will give you my Demantoid if you can find an MD that knows how to work a cpap machine!!!! (You don''t have to give me your Demantoid (Actually there are 3 Dr''s that my hubby knows of that can and do know how to work a CPAP machine, adjust pressures, etc ... FYI)

(I know pretty dang amazing!)

AND NOT all snorers Oxygenation is negatively effected. (I did not state that all snorers O2 is negatively effected) Only a small percentage (I personally would not want to be in the small percentage, why take a chance when it is so easy to be evaluated and a Dr. can determine if it is a serious risk or not?). That only occurs in patients where people stop breathing all together due to complete airway collapse. These are the people that awake with a gasp to pop open their airway after a period of NO snoring. These people present with many more symptoms than the first poster posted such as exhaustion T/O the day. If snoring is continuous the person is ventilating enough to keep their oxygen level normal that is why you can hear them breath/snore. (Listen, I am just posting here as a person, I am posting here with my personal info that is about me too, I posted about what I have had, and yes I snore, and yes I have seen my MD to be evaluated, yes ... even though I snore, my O2 has at times been recorded as being abnormally low, so again, I am pursuing the thoughts and recommendations of my DR. I am not an expert, If I wanted the expert I would consult my Doctor for a professional evaluation and referal not myself or my hubby, and if my DR. wanted me to go to see a sleep specialist if that is the case, I definately would want to go to a Dr. who is Board Certified in the field of Sleep Study, and not some Family medicine Dr. who just happens to dabble in sleep study ... the latter are out there. Just like I wouldn''t go see my OB/GYN because I was experiencing chest pain.

BTW In this last situation the sound of someone snoring is good! As far as me posting about the 32 yr old man, hey I knew that guy. I worked with that guy! Yes he snored. Was his Primary Care Dr. aware of his snoring? Nope. He didn''t think it was a big deal.

He is survived by his wife and 8 yr & 2 yr old kids.

I am not posting this as an RN, I am posting this as a human being, because you never know. Life is too short to take chances sometimes, I personally don''t want to take chances when it''s so simple to make an appt to be checked out. I don''t think there is a need to assume the worst and frighten someone when there is no need. (If I was assuming the worst, and wanting to frighten someone, I would have stated something like "Oh my god! You definately got some major a$$ problems, and you had better call in sick from work and get your a$$ down to the ER, If you don''t your gonna DIE!)

I didn''t say that ... All I said was to go see her Dr. so her Dr. could then determine is she had any serious risks or not. Just go get checked out, and let the PCP figure it out ... that is why he/she went to med school, and why I didn''t.

Looks like Wren made an appt, and that is positively the best thing she can do for herself.

Sorry I "quoted" you ... & I''ll go ahead and appologize for "quoting" you again.

To everyone else, many appologies if I scared the tar out of ya''ll & if ya''ll lost any sleep from fretful worrying! May everyone have a wonderful day!

 

[pebbles]

Date: 2/28/2006 7:48:54 PM
Author: Kimberly
He uses this one http://www.astelin.com/

It was trial and error as he does'nt have allergies in the traditional sense but environmental conditions occassionally irritate his nasal passages and his nostrils react via inflammation =restriction=snoring! Sometimes simple and cheap Saline sprays 'salt water' does the trick too by rinsing out the irritants . Other times a spray such as Astelin helps as it is an anti histamine-which prevents inflammation in the first place. If these too things don't clear chronic nasal congestion inhaled streroids are the next step.

PS don't even think of those over the counter nasal sprays such as Afrin. They are no good and dangerous for many reasons.

Afrin is a decongestant, not an antihistamine, so it is in a completely different class of drugs than Astelin. The OTC spray decongestants are actually very effective and not dangerous if used properly....but they should not be used as a long term treatment for snoring.

MsDarlinJoy -- I too know of someone that literally died one night from sleep apnea. Like the guy you knew, he didn't realize that his snoring was a problem. That's why I'm so glad my uncle has his cpap machine.

 

[Slykat12]

Date: 3/1/2006 3:46:48 AM
Author: pebbles

Date: 2/28/2006 7:48:54 PM
Author: Kimberly
He uses this one http://www.astelin.com/

It was trial and error as he does'nt have allergies in the traditional sense but environmental conditions occassionally irritate his nasal passages and his nostrils react via inflammation =restriction=snoring! Sometimes simple and cheap Saline sprays 'salt water' does the trick too by rinsing out the irritants . Other times a spray such as Astelin helps as it is an anti histamine-which prevents inflammation in the first place. If these too things don't clear chronic nasal congestion inhaled streroids are the next step.

PS don't even think of those over the counter nasal sprays such as Afrin. They are no good and dangerous for many reasons.

Afrin is a decongestant, not an antihistamine, so it is in a completely different class of drugs than Astelin. The OTC spray decongestants are actually very effective and not dangerous if used properly....but they should not be used as a long term treatment for snoring.

MsDarlinJoy -- I too know of someone that literally died one night from sleep apnea. Like the guy you knew, he didn't realize that his snoring was a problem. That's why I'm so glad my uncle has his cpap machine.

Where did I say Afrin was a decongestant OR an antihistimine? Afrin used to contain epinephrine but after tons of addictions and heart attacks perhaps they changed the ingredants.I have seen several heart attacks in my er due to it but I haven't lately been in the ER for a few years sooo so perhaps they changed it.

Anyhoo, it is probably unsuitable for snoring IMHO. But if the docs like it. I wouldn't actually know. As Darlin up there I was just taking time out of my day to help.


Hahaha A Pricescope Nurse. Well that would account for the response! I did not know you were a nurse. A good nurse is worth her weight in Alexandrite as a good RT is. Too bad there is so few good ones of either! Yes there is a strong rivalry between our two fields. It is really sad too. Our education takes the exact same amount of time. We are both lic. and both critical to patient care. I actually plan on doing some research on the subject as that is what the MS is in research.

Hopefully, I can get it published. What I have learned is that every hospital seems to be different. The more power an RT has-like those who can run codes and intubate-the more animosity. When the RT is regulated to knob turning-following orders rather than protocals their seems to be less friction.

Only the patient can be hurt.

PS it is not the RT degree and 18 years in the field that makes me feel expert here. It is my Masters as I worked in a sleep center and read literally 1000's of articles on the subject along with conducting research.

But for the record I get PAID to talk about this.

 

[firebirdgold]

Post Doctor Visit Update!

Well, just preliminary stuff so far since he is a general practioner. My pallete looks fine and moves well (whatever that means), and there is nothing obviously wrong with my nose. My throat feels fine and my thyroid is staying it''s normal size.
So I''m to get a blood test to determine my red blood cell count, apparently this will indicate if I''m getting enough oxygen at night. Do you think it would be better to get this test done in the morning then? (shows how little I know).
The step after that is to go to the ear-nose-throat guy because they have those little cameras they can stick up your nose. I did just talk to my mother and she said that I do not have a deviated septum. I probably went to an ear-nose-throat doctor every 3 months as a kid, so they should have noticed.

 

[Slykat12]

Wren, I am confused. Did your doc order a Blood gas to measure oxygen levels? Or a complete blood count which measure the amount of red blood cells? Both are very different. Rts usually do the blood gas and if they don''t numb you it may hurt like hell as the artery is punctured not the vein. Most don''t numb. The CBC is via the vein and it is a typical blood test.

If is is the Blood gas. Relax your wrist and look away and think of England.

I pray u don''t get a lab tech if it is an ABG as they do at most one a year!

If you are sensitive to needles ask them to use lidocaine at the injection site just under the skin IF it is an ABG.

 

[firebirdgold]

Thank G, it''s just a regular ol'' blood test. He very specifically said it was to measure the number of red blood cells, so no worries there. I''ve had so many blood tests, I''ve got scarring! And I''m one of those weird patients who need to watch the needle go in.

So does it matter when I have the CBC done? I know there''s no fasting involved, I just don''t know how quickly the red blood cells adjust over the day.

 

[Slykat12]

I don''t think it matters which time of day-Excellent question BTW!

I believe your doctor is checking for MORE than the normal amount of red blood cells. I am assuming this because the body tries to compensate for low oxygen levels by creating more red blood cells. It does this over time not imediately.

Have you ever heard of the athlete at sea level who is to perform at high altitude having to go up to that high altitude weeks early to allow his body to create more rbc in order to compensate for the lower oxygen pressure?

Same idea.
If your o2 level is chronically low at night your body will have tried to compensate.

 

[pebbles]

Date: 3/1/2006 3:39:21 PM
Author: Kimberly

Where did I say Afrin was a decongestant OR an antihistimine? Afrin used to contain epinephrine but after tons of addictions and heart attacks perhaps they changed the ingredants.I have seen several heart attacks in my er due to it but I haven''t lately been in the ER for a few years sooo so perhaps they changed it.

Anyhoo, it is probably unsuitable for snoring IMHO. But if the docs like it. I wouldn''t actually know. As Darlin up there I was just taking time out of my day to help.


Hahaha A Pricescope Nurse. Well that would account for the response! I did not know you were a nurse. A good nurse is worth her weight in Alexandrite as a good RT is. Too bad there is so few good ones of either! Yes there is a strong rivalry between our two fields. It is really sad too. Our education takes the exact same amount of time. We are both lic. and both critical to patient care. I actually plan on doing some research on the subject as that is what the MS is in research.

Hopefully, I can get it published. What I have learned is that every hospital seems to be different. The more power an RT has-like those who can run codes and intubate-the more animosity. When the RT is regulated to knob turning-following orders rather than protocals their seems to be less friction.

Only the patient can be hurt.

PS it is not the RT degree and 18 years in the field that makes me feel expert here. It is my Masters as I worked in a sleep center and read literally 1000''s of articles on the subject along with conducting research.

But for the record I get PAID to talk about this.

I didn''t say that you said it was an antihistamine; just wanted to be clear in case people confused the two medications -- which happens all the time because the two names are similar. It does not contain epinephrine anymore but the active ingredient can cause addiction.

Actually, I am not a nurse, but a pharmacist. I have no rivalry with RTs or RNs, or anyone for that matter...well, maybe residents that tell me I don''t know what I''m talking about.

I respect all the things that you do (I don''t think I could ever intubate anyone!) and personally, I think you should be given more power in Codes, instead of the residents. At the hospital I used to work at, the pharmacist was the Code Leader.

 

[Slykat12]

I love pharmacists! They rock! My brother is one too. So many Pharms have saved pts lives as at my teaching hospital they go around and check all the orders for mistakes and there are PLENTY. Docs screw up, secretaries cannot decifer their writting and some staff just can't know all the dosages.

Yeah for healthcare peoples!!! Underpaid and overworked!!!!

PS>

The pricescope nurse comment was for Ms darling who said she was a nurse. I would never assume anything here.

And I believe no I KNOW pharmacists really could run the med part of a code much better than a doctor. They were present at all codes at the affore mentioned teaching hospital and made the majority of decisions regarding what drug to push!!! They are doctors too after all.

The med doc just watched the moniters and felt for pulses hehehe. It never ceases to amaze me how people think medical doctors know all. They don't That is why there is a team caring for the patients.

 

[strmrdr]

hmmm now ya all got me freaken out maybe i should work on a solution to my o2 drop problems but the doc is outa options.
ill start a new thread....