the only thing that works is a knee in the back from my wife, so I turn over on my belly.
Sow a tennis ball in your p-jays right between the shoulder blades. That'll keep you off your back, but if you snore while lying on your side... I don't have a clue.
You've seen a doctor and been told this is the only fix? Did they eliminate a deviated septum or other nasal problems? One common cause of snoring and sleep apnea is being overweight, if you are overweight losing some weight might fix it, plus having additional benefits.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty sounds like a nasty thing.
I had somnoplasty done about 5 years ago. It basically involves sticking a probe into the soft tissue in the back of the throat. It heats up some of the tissue and scars it. Over a couple weeks, the scarring causes the tissue to tighten a little, but it's enough to stop the snoring.
Check it out here: www.somnoplasty.com
My wife can't say enough about the procedure.
Here's what workes for my husband, he lost weight, and I was able to sleep again at night. His snoring had gotten to the point where at tug at his pillow no longer worked and sleeping on the sofa was not very comfortable for me.
Alcohol, being overweight, and exhaustion will exacerbate your snoring.
I have heard the procedure works well. I think it is the one where an otolaryngologist does it under local ansesthesia, and inserts some flexible plastic things into the back of your palate using a little thing that slides them in. I have heard it is pretty easy, and works well.
There is a thing on the market that is an elastic band that helps keep the mouth closed. Also putting a nose strip on helps.
Had it done a year ago and wish I had done it ten years ago. A bit of pain (like a really sore throat when you swallow) that went away in two days, then took it easy for about a week. My wife loves it and so do I. I would sometimes snore so loud it would wake me up, and that really did the trick. Good luck, it's worth it.
1. Lose weight. Even losing 10 pounds can make some difference, but losing all your excess weight will work wonders. My hubby was NOT overweight, but he lost a few pounds and it made a lot of difference.
2. Cut out alcohol (not an issue for him)
3. Sleep on your side (try one of those long, body hugger pillows)
4. Keep your nasal passages clear so you are less likely to breath through your mouth (use saline nasal spray before bedtime)
As a full disclosure, I really didn't mind the snoring, it was the sleep apnea he had that frightened me, and that problem has been resolved as well. He doesn't need the mask anymore. Good luck to you!
C-PAP's for sleep apnea, isn't it? Have you consulted a sleep specialist? If not, might be worth a try.
uvulopalatalpharyngoplasty?
Never have any procedure done that wont fit on a Scrabble board.
Is there a feedback device that will wake you, nudge you, mildly shock you, when you snore? Other than a wife? People learn early not to pee in bed, why not learn not to snore?
VS has mostly learned to sleep on his side - but it's taken me twenty years :)
Mrs VS
Have you tried BiPAP?
BiPAP "delivers CPAP but also senses when an inspiratory effort is being made and delivers a higher pressure during inspiration"