Has anyone here tried using the various over the counter snoring solutions (Nasal Strips, Chin Straps, Mouthpieces, Tongue Suction thingys)? I’ve read various reviews of some products, but would like as many opinions as possible. I already sleep on my side, and at one point when I was morbidly obese I used a CPAP for sleep apnea, but then when I had lost a ton of weight, I had recorded myself sleeping without the CPAP and found that I no longer snored, so stopped using it. Now it seems the snoring is coming back, apparently loud enough to wake the people int he apartment below me, which of course sucks.
I would try going back to the CPAP if possible.
I tried using nasal dilators and a mouthguard but the only thing that was really effective was getting a CPAP.
I tried one of the mouthpieces that you custom mold to your mouth, but it didn’t silence my thunderous snoring. So I bought a basic one that has worked pretty well for about eight years now. I forget the price, but less than $20.
After nasal strips (which also didn’t work for me) a mouthpiece is probably one of the cheapest and simplest options, so why not try it first before going back to CPAP? (I never used or needed CPAP–I don’t have apnea, I just snore VERY LOUDLY.)
My husband is a horrendous snorer. Nasal strips don’t work but the mouthpiece seems to work pretty well. I think we paid around $20. You have to dip it in boiling water and mold it to your mouth. He’s never complained about it, but to me it seems like it would be uncomfortable to sleep with.
We solved the problem by me sleeping in another bedroom! We both sleep so much better now.
Thanks, I’m going to try the cheaper mouthpiece first. If I were to go back to the CPAP, I’d have to go do another sleep study and probably pay a ton of money which I can’t really spare right now, so I’d like that to be a last resort thing if possible.
On a whim, I tried just altering my sleeping position slightly; lying on my side, I tilted my face downward somewhat more than usual, with the idea of letting gravity pull my tongue away from the back of my throat a bit. I used a voice recording app on my phone to record me as I slept, and whattya know, no snoring!
What about one of those chin straps that keep your mouth closed? Anyone tried one of those? I’m thinking about getting one as I snore with my mouth open.
I actually do sleep with my mouth closed unless I have a cold or allergies blocking my nasal passages; I position my arm in such a way that it kind of braces my jaw closed. So unfortunately I can’t speak to the effectiveness of the chin strap for myself, but I’ve read some positive reviews for that method for open-mouthed sleeper snoring issues, so maybe it’s worth a shot.
When my husband starts snoring loudly, I send him to the Doctor. It is usually the beginnings of a sinus infection. YMMV but it works every time for him.
I got a professional made ‘nightguard’ because I grind my teeth and that makes my jaw hurt. Really helped that problem. As a bonus, my wife says it reduced my snoring quit a bit. That guard wore out and I’ve been using the cheap dip in hot water, athletic mouth guards for a while. Those also seem to help. If you can get a real guard I recommend it for the size and comfort.
The NHS offers some interesting info: Snoring - NHS
I’ve also had one friend go for laser treatment and that worked for her.
The nasal strips seem to help me but not perfect.
I probably need to have a deviated septum fixed, but the ordeal involved seems to be worse than the snoring.
Probably should go without saying, but I’m gonna say it anyway; if any of you do have a chronic snoring problem, it probably would be a good idea to have your doctor order a sleep study to determine if you have sleep apnea; I know that when I was diagnosed while I was much heavier and started using a CPAP, my blood pressure went from “how are you still alive” high to a pretty rock solid 115 over 65 and I felt SO much more rested and energetic. A CPAP takes some getting used to, but I think the benefits were very much worth it.
Can confirm. I went from 100+ apnea events an hour to 1-2. The difference in my quality of sleep was goddamn near magical.