I have had the Somnoplasty - didn't work for me. Now I am having a surgical procedure to trim what my physician says is an extremely low-hanging palate. I just went thru the sleep clinic last week, but I'd rather not have to wag a CPAP machine around unless it's just a last resort.

When my teenage son travels with me, he tries to get to sleep first or uses his iPod with headphones. For our upcoming month in France, we've rented a 2 bedroom apt.

Maybe someone should invent a helmet type thing that wakes the snorer when it detects the first snore.

In all honesty, what would happen if you dared say to this family member, "I simply cannot share a room with you because of your snoring?"

The "snoring" part would be true.

So would the "can't share" part if the truth were known.

Is it just the snoring that bothers you or is it sound an night that makes it hard for you to sleep? My Hubby snores but I just put my Ipod ear phones on and crank up the volume, but for me it works because I dont mind music (Loud) but I cant handle the snoring.

I second the advice about the sleep clinic. My husband was doing this and didn't have apnea, but had restless leg and for some strange reason, taking that medication led to better sleep and no snoring. I also have restless leg and have sleep hypopnea (shallow breathing, not apnea) and they want me to have a CPAP but I have avoided it thus far (don't snore). I am having a sleep consult right before I leave on my trip this summer and would love to know about specific brands or makes of smaller, lighter and convertible power CPAPs if you have any info, 2ITaly. That way I would know what specifically to ask about when I go--I know they are going to suggest the CPAP again and I dread the thought of having to carry the machine with me--definitely not part of "packing light."

We have one of theos noise attenuators-or as we call it-wind machines. It is good in most situations.. It also blocks out the motor bikes etc. Google sleepmate. they have a special one that can be used in Europe. Weight loss sometimes helps.

Here's the one especially for Europe. I'm buying one!

http://www.white-noise.us/screen580_980.htm

Sobster, the biggest snorer I know can't afford to lose a single pound, and does not drink or smoke...yet he is a world-class snorer. He DOES suffer from allergies, as do I, and that seems to be a more-common thread in the snorers I know. (Being an avid group camper, I've known a few!) :) I will make sure my traveling companion to Italy in the fall tests out some of these suggestions BEFORE we go. Thanks to all who posted!

I highly recommend a sleep test for sleep apnea -- not for the short term discomfort of your trip, but for your family member's health. Sleep apnea has very serious health consequences and can take years off a person's life. I was diagnosed 7 years ago and it made a tremendous difference in my life immediately. The CPAP machine I have is 7 years old now, so there are probably smaller versions, but mine has a built in voltage converter which is probably standard now. You do still need to bring a plug adaptor and it's a good idea to have an extension cord with too in case there's not an outlet right by the bed.
If the family member doesn't have apnea, the suggestions of an apartment with two bedrooms (or suite in a hotel) is a good one (from what I've seen in doing research, there are a lot of 2 bedroom apts. available for the cost of one nice hotel room) -- and it might be a good idea to try out the different earplug options before you travel if possible.

Kellye - My husband has a CPAP and I never hear a peep out of him now. He travels frequently so we bought the travel-size Goodnight 420G Puritan Bennet to travel with. When you travel with a CPAP, it's considered a medical device, so you're still allowed two other carry-ons too.

my hubby travels with his cpap machine, too. It took me a while to get used to the sound of that, but now it's more like "white noise" to me and I sleep...yeah! But assuming this family member isn't off to a sleep clinic, having surgery or getting a cpap machine before your trip. I'd say your best and only bet is to get GOOD ear plugs and drug yourself with whatever works.....someone said wine, but Tylenol PM or ??? something you can take that might help you sleep. Good luck! :) Melissa

DH also snores quite loudly at times. The best earplugs for me are the Quies (pronounced kee-ess) foam plugs. I can't stand those wax earplugs, ugh.

A couple of options: don't let your companion have anything alcoholic to drink after 8 pm, preferably earlier. Don't let them take any drugs like Benilyn (unless they really need it, of course).

If your relative isn't got to take steps to solve his/her problem, talk to your doctor about getting prescription sleeping pills for a few nights. When I went to Austin, TX, for a trip with a snoring relative, I asked my doctor for 4 sleeping pills to cover the trip (she gave me a prescription for 8, told me to try them for a couple of nights at home to make sure they worked ok and that I didn't have any side effects).

Separate rooms is the best choice (you get an extra bathroom in the deal as well), but don't have adjoining rooms in a cheap place where the walls are thin. A co-worker notorious for his snoring and I were on a trip to Seattle and we had adjoining rooms at an inexpensive pension (Pension Nichols). I heard him snore all night long!

>I'm 44 yrs old but can still hear my dad snoring through my parents' open bedroom door. <

It's time to get your own place.

((I))

Ira have you considered that maybe it is her place!! I assume you have all gone through the basics, do not sleep on your back, very little alcohol before bedtime and no heavy meat dishes. I use nosedrops called snore no more, dw says it helps but not perfect.

Actually, what I meant was that although I'm well into adulthood I can still imagine the sound of my dad snoring as he did all through my childhood. I don't know how my mom has dealt with it for almost 50 years. I'd likely go the suggested pillow route...

As I mentioned earlier, and agreeing with BTilke, it is unlikely that sponge-based earplugs are going to fall out of someone's ear and they are some of the cheapest available, too.

All these remedies are fine but I continue to maintain that the easiest way to "survive" this is to have a separate room.


BTW, what happened to the OP anyway? Maybe she fell asleep.

Apnea can cause a great deal of damage to the muscles of the heart as well.
Get your family member to see a doctor.
Better to get it fixed while she's younger rather than older when tissue doesn't mend as fast ... that said - it will mend.
One of my best friends was down to 60% heart function (he was 63 when discovered). Now, after the machine, medication and some exercise, his muscle is nearly back to normal! YEAH!

Actually, I have had earplugs fall out of my ears, but not the Quies brand. Some cheaper brands, yes, because they don't seem to fit as well.

If this trip is longer than just a few days, try your best to get separate rooms. Better to go down a * in hotel rating and get a good night's rest, than to share a room in a higher rated hotel and be tired and (eventually) resentful of your sleep-stealing relative.

Also, do admit to your relative that their snoring is the main reason you want separate rooms. If they insist their snoring "isn't that bad" then just say you're a very light sleeper and you do want to get a good night's sleep so you can really enjoy sightseeing and the time together.

I'd rather stay in a bare bones (but clean) 1* hotel than a 4* hotel with an unbearable snorer in the room every night.

Hello again!
I'm glad to see I'm not alone on this issue!

I don't think my mom will ever consult a doctor about this issue, so I have to seek other means to make things better when I travel with her. I will pass on to her the comments you all have provided, just in case it might change her mind. In the meantime, I think I will buy every brand of earplugs out there. So far, I haven't been able to find lodging with two single rooms at a reasonable enough price, although I still hold out hope and am continuing to look.

Thanks everybody!!

I think this situation is different from a married couple. Aggiegirl is traveling with her Mom - as far as all the advice for tryinig to 'cure' the snoring above.

I would hold out for more simple places (pensione, B&B, local hotels, even hostels) where you could have your own rooms. Besides the snoring issue, I am WAY more comfortable having my own (tiny) space. Especially traveling with someone, where you'll likely be together all day long. A little privacy would be worth the small price for me.