Husband snoring....HELP!!!!

Updated on March 06, 2008
K.S. asks from Cincinnati, OH
31 answers

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on snoring?? Here is the situation..... My husband has been "kicked out" of the bedroom for about a year now because of his snoring. I am someone who LOVES MY SLEEP, and since our daughter was born, have become a very light sleeper. Therefore, my husband, because he snores ridiculously, cannot sleep in the same room with me. He says that he has no problem sleeping on the couch (which I can even hear him sometimes from the couch), and even calls it "his bed" :( I am starting to feel bad about him sleeping there, because I notice that as soon as I leave for work, or if I come home and he is sleeping, he is in the bed. So, I know that he would prefer to be there. My question is...what are others experiences with this situation?? He has tried the nose strips (they do NOT work!!!)Just curious, seeking others experiences with this, as I feel bad for him.

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T.J.

answers from Cincinnati on

have you tried the Snore Spray? My husband has to take it everynight.......and it works....except some nights when he is really tired...then there is no peace and yep, I'm off to the guest bedroom bed!!! hee hee
Good luck....I completely know where you are coming from.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.M.

answers from Cincinnati on

Get s sleep disorder study - I think one of the local places is called Tri-State sleep disorder clinic. If he has sleep apnea, it could be serious, but fixable.

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P.Z.

answers from Cleveland on

I also think it sounds like sleep apnea. Get him to a sleep clinic. They only take a couple of appt. to diagnose and get him on a machine. Sleep apnea is a very dangerous problem and since most men don't like to go to doctors, it can be hard. It took me several years, and going to the couch myself. I found that if he was 'put out', he didn't care much, but if he was in the bed and I was miserable on the couch, that really bothered him. I also did lots of research on sleep apnea and told his mom about the dangers involved. He wasn't happy @ the time, but he is VERY grateful now, and tells everyone how much better he feels and how grateful he is that I just wouldn't give up!

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A.S.

answers from Toledo on

I can totally relate! My husband is also a HUGE snorer! I made him talk to his doctor. They ended up having him take a sleep apnea test. He is now on a breathing machine--where he is unable to snore--but he also sleeps WAY better too. It is a win-win all the way around. I highly suggest at least looking into it.

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A.C.

answers from Dayton on

Well, I can't say that I have any actual advice. I just want to let you know that you are not alone in this problem. My 20 month old co-sleeps with us and I am an extremely light sleeper. My husband snores CONSTANTLY. It doesn't matter what position he is in (back, side, stomach). His snoring wakes us, I end up hitting him to wake him (it's the only way) and then I have to nurse my daughter back to sleep. Neeldess to say, we have some rough nights. The nose strips didn't work for him either, but the other night he tried some new product from BreatheRight. They are called Snore Relief throat strips. They are thin films that you place on the tongue and they dissolve. They lubricate the throat. They seem to be helping my husband because his snoring originates from his throat, not his nose. They might be worth looking into. Also, your husband might have sleep apnea, so he might want to talk to his doctor. My husband promised to see a dr if the throat strips don't help because I told him he was going to be permanently evicted from our bed if the snoring doesn't improve soon. Best of luck!

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M.D.

answers from Louisville on

Your husband needs to see a doctor. He may have a sleep problem. I have a cousin that when he snored you could hear him all over the house. He went to the doctor and was tested and found that he actually would stop breathing in his sleep. He is now using a machine and does a lot better.

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C.R.

answers from Cleveland on

My husband is a snorer too. His snoring is worse if he's gaining weight. If he takes off 5-10 lbs., it stops. Also, he sees an allergist in Youngstown for allergies and sinuses. After Dr. Politi put him on allergy shots and a sinus wash, snoring was minimal. If he refuses to admit that he might have an allergy/sinus "issue," I've heard that there is a throat spray that's supposed to keep the throat lubricated throughout the night, minimizing snoring. I can't vouch for it nor do I know its name, but it should be near those nose strips... :) Good luck!

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A.W.

answers from Cleveland on

My dad had a bad snoring problem when I was little, he finally saw a ear nose and throat specialist after everything thing else failed. THe specialist said that he had some extra bone or cartilidge whatever the nose is really made of haha. Anyways it was simple in and out procedure, they chipped away some of the bone and has not snored since!! Maybe this is worth looking into. Good Luck

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C.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

You don't say. Has he put on some weight over the years together. My husband's snoring was okay until he gained weight. We to sleep apart. Well he has sleep apnea and wears a Cpap machine and low and behold no snoring. Have him go to the doctor. He will need 2 sleep studies.

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F.F.

answers from Cleveland on

Have him see an ENT...

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L.B.

answers from Louisville on

I am an RN with over 30 yrs experience and I am sure your husband has sleep apnea. This is a dangerous condition that over time can damage the heart and contribute to high blood pressure. he must have a sleep study to be sure. Your family MD can arrange for this. Please do this ASAP! Sleep apnea can be treated with a special breathing machine at night. Your husband will feel like a new person within a few days and will have more energy. Sleep apnea causes most people to feel exhausted all the time because they are not sleeping well.

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P.B.

answers from Cleveland on

Have you talked with your Family Physician? I had the same problem and my doctor ordered a sleep study and find out that I had sleep apnea as well as some other medical disorders that caused the bad snorng. I no longer snore!

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J.H.

answers from Cincinnati on

Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea and therefore I would suggest talking to your family doctor or ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor) about this. Snoring can also derive from a deviated Septum as well. Many are unaware of this fact and ignore snoring just treating it as annoyance to others so I definitely would not ignore it. Good Luck!

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L.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

I agree with the ear plugs....you shouldn't kick him out of your bed. How are you gonna have relations when you have kids. This is very important to a man and if he isn't getting it at home, he'll go find it somewhere else. A man could do it EVERYDAY...but at least twice a week is way more acceptable. You'll notice he is a much happier man and will be a better father if he's a happy man. Trust me, you'll have a much better relationship. If he says he doesn't mind...he's fooling himself. Sleep in the same bed.

Back to the topic at hand, get earplugs! My hubbie snores too, we drowned each other out - ha ha. We had a sleep test together and he Does have sleep-apnea....so that's a good tip as well. Talk to his doctor.

Best of Luck! L.

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J.B.

answers from Cleveland on

K., get you husband to the doctor. There are many things that can be done to reduce or eliminate snoring. And no matter what the solution....get him back in bed with you!! The cuddles are worth all the snoring. Good luck!

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M.R.

answers from Columbus on

I would recommend seeing a doctor - could be swollen tonsils/adenoids, and often snoring is a sign of sleep apnea. This is a doctor's visit worth making - for you and for him
:-)

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M.M.

answers from Columbus on

It sounds like your husband has sleep apnea. I work at a sleep clinic in Columbus, so I know all about it. Plus, my husband & his father both have it. Snoring is the biggest symptom, but he can also stop breathing in his sleep. Is he tired a lot during the day? Sleep apnea generally causes people not to get a good night's sleep... although he won't realize it. If he does have sleep apnea... it can also get worse the older he gets. I would get him in to a sleep doctor for an evaluation & then he may need a sleep study. He may require sleeping w/ a machine a night that helps he breath properly while he sleeps... I know it sounds bad... but it's much better then snoring! Anyway, call around to see about getting him an appointment somewhere. I know my doctors do not require referrals & they accept every insurance. Feel free to email me if you have more questions and good luck!

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K.R.

answers from Youngstown on

Hi K.,
I think all the advice youve gotten so far is great- definately check out all the medical problems. If all else fails though you might just want to invest in a good pair of ear plugs! I'm the snorer in our marriage- espically while I'm pregnant- the last 2 months of my last pregnancy my hubby had to sleep with foam ear plugs to get any rest- they worked great!! Good luck

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K.P.

answers from Dayton on

My husband suffers from this as well. I suggest your husband get checked out for Sleep Apena. Snoring can be a sign of this. And maybe a sleep disorder Doctor can help him.

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B.E.

answers from Cincinnati on

sleep apnea, and or deviated septum, get those things checked!! My husband has both, and we are going to get them both fixed so he can sleep, I can sleep, he doesn't wake up the baby, and we can both be happy in our bed all night together. Like it during pregnancy and now with the baby I have become a really light sleeper and him snoring makes me want to roll over and beat him up!!! There is also a liquid you can try that I saw on tv, you gargle or swallow it or something and it lubricates the back of the throat decreasing the snoring. I have also seen a pillow in one of those stores in the mall that have like sharper image type things and tempurpedic mattresses, they have a pillow that is specially designed to stop snoring I haven't tried it so I don't know if it works or not. LOl thats all I got hang in there, I think this is a very common problem for husbands and wives!!

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M.H.

answers from Cincinnati on

Dear K.,
I believe your husband needs medical help with his snoring. I suggest he go to a sleep clinic to be diagnosed as to why he is snoring so loudly. This COULD be a serious problem such as sleep apnea or it could be simple and require some easy suggestions such as eating lighter meals at night, etc.

Marty H.

J.D.

answers from Columbus on

You just have to let him sleep in the bed....you WILL get used to it! It's very important for parents' bonds to remain strong after the kids are born, and him sleeping on the couch is not the answer. It took me about 2 1/2 yrs to adjust to my husbands snoring...what worked for me was that I would always go to bed first, and he would wait until I was COMPLETELY out, and then get in bed himself. After all these years, if he is in bed before me, it takes forever for me to get to sleep!

Good Luck!

About me: part-time working mommy of 4, happily married for almost 7 yrs.

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B.R.

answers from Columbus on

K.,

You are not the first to have this problem. Check into the sleep apnea symptoms and snoring postings here. He really needs to see a doctor. Good luck!

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K.A.

answers from Lexington on

My husband snores also. and I too am a very light sleeper...worse since I had my daughter. He refuses to go to a sleep clinic. So we have a "guest room" that he sleeps in most of the time during the week. On the weekends, when we don't have to work in the morning, we will sleep in the same bed. If I can't sleep at night I will just take a nap during the day. or I will just "move" him in the middle of the night. He's such a heavy sleeper I can get him to walk to the other room without really waking him up! :)
I don't think this has hurt our relationship one bit. We still have our "alone time" and we both get a better night sleep so we are much less crabby or over tired! They say 23% of all married couples sleep in separate rooms.

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H.S.

answers from Cleveland on

I'm sorry, i wish i could help, but my husband is the SAME way! It is terrible, he keeps me up every night. :( So you have my condolences.

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L.H.

answers from Lexington on

My husband and I were in the exact same boat up until last year. We have two little ones and I deserately needed sleep so I lovingly kicked him out. He too termed the pull out couch his "bed". He tried the strips, extra pillows, etc. Finally went to an ear nose and throat Doc and allergist. We discovered he has really bad allergies and a mild case of sleep apnia. He also had a deviated septum. He opted for surgery and is now on allergy shots - we also keep an air purifier in the bedroom which has a lovely white noise affect. His sleep is so much better and he says he feels much more rested in the AM. I actually don't hear him at all anymore unless he has been around allergens outside all day or misses his shots. I certainly wouldn't recommend surgery for everyone, but it might be worth the trip to find out what is going on with him. We have since realized what a constant strain it was putting on our marraige. It's not just about the snoring! Hope this helps - definitly go get the purifier - $40.00 or so and well worth it!

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P.M.

answers from Columbus on

Hi K.,

I disagree with one of the previous posters, you DO NOT have to get used to it, yes it is important for your family to bond, but it is not right that you should be suffering through this.

I was the exact same way when I was pregnant, I became such a light sleeper, and of course I stayed that way after the baby was born. Like being exhausted from getting up at night with the baby wasn't enough, no I was soooo exhausted because I was awake when DH was snoring! Like the previous posters suggested, check out a sleep clinic, sleep apnea seems fairly common nowadays, DH got diagnosed with it about 2 years ago.

He feels totally different when he wakes up in the morning, and of course keeps on snoring when he forgets to wear his mask. And after so long, I still haven't gotten used to the snoring!

I wish you good luck, if you would like more info or I can even give you the name of our doctor, just contact me.

Trisha

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T.M.

answers from Cleveland on

K.,
We went through the same thing. Once our children were born I became a light sleeper and my husbands snoring bothered me ALL the time. He also tried the breath right strips and throat sprays which didn't work. His doctor suggested he go for a sleep study. They found out he has mild sleep apnea and he has been put on a C-pap machine and no longer snores:) A friend of mine had her husband get some kind of surgery done because his snoring was bothering her so much. I know it can be so frustrating you want your husband with you but don't want to be kept awake all night:)
Good luck!

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R.W.

answers from Lexington on

Can't you just learn to love his snoring? Snoring has never bothered me, it lets me know there is someone there for me. Can you start to think of it this way?

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A.K.

answers from Columbus on

It sounds like he needs to go to a sleep clinic. My husband went to the one at OSU and found out the he has Sleep Apnoea, which means that he stops breathing in his sleep, and that is what causes the snoring; very scary! He was given a breathing machine that he has to sleep with at night which stoped the snoring and now we are all happy! He says that he is getting better sleep now so he is not waking up tired all the time.

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S.T.

answers from Columbus on

Hi K.,

Has your husband ever broken his nose? Mine had, and he had a deviated septum. He had it corrected and now no snoring at all! Even if he hasn't broken his nose, he still could have one. You can get it corrected pretty easily, and wow, it makes the world of difference. Have him checked out - it's really worth it.

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