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Snore-Stopping Pillow Answers Pleas For Zzzs

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By KIM FRANKE-FOLSTAD

Published: September 27, 2007

I can only imagine how puffed up my husband must have been the night a sportswriter sitting next to him at a pro fight leaned over and asked if he was a former boxer.

"Why, yes," Rick replied, sitting a little straighter in his chair. "How did you know?"

He figured his fellow scribe had seen him in action back in the '70s, when he was a pretty good junior welterweight fighting out of Minneapolis.

"Well, you've got a heck of a lot of scar tissue over your eyes," the guy replied. "And your nose … it's all over the place."

It's true. That he was once a pro fighter is literally written all over my husband's face. And, sadly, most mornings it shows on mine, as well.

Rick's nose, broken at least twice, just doesn't work as it should. Which means he snores. Which means I don't sleep much.

And I have always been prone to puffiness.

This is a problem because, after 17 years together, we still prefer to share a bed.

But I also like to get some sleep.

Ear plugs don't work. He's too loud and I'm too soft. (The plugs make my ears itchy.) Surgery? Not gonna happen. Nor has he ever been inclined to stop drinking beer before bed — another helpful tip I've read a billion times.

And so, more nights than not, the poor man has been pushed off to the guest room at 1, 3 or 5 in the morning so I can grab a few hours of sleep.

Then we heard about the Sona Pillow, and our hopes for a cure were rekindled. Was it possible someone finally developed a product that could stop the snoring for good? Could it be there were other cures we just hadn't tried?

Well, of course the answer is, yes, or I wouldn't be writing this, would I?

Here's what worked for us and what didn't.

(Please note: It's a good idea to see a doctor before using any sleep aid. Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, which may require medical treatment.)

The Sona Pillow

How it works: The pillow, developed by a Florida doctor to stop snoring and mild sleep apnea, has a loop on the bottom through which the snorer places his arm. It works as a sling, keeping that arm underneath the pillow and the snorer on his side while he sleeps. The pillow's incline also keeps the user's head facing downward, which helps airways stay open and prevents obstructions in the back of the throat.

Price: $129

Available at: Bay area Brookstone stores and online at brookstone.com or sonapillow.com

Grade: A

Based on more than a week of sound sleep, this is a dream come true. I can't vouch for other couples, but for us, it works. (The manufacturer states that customer reviews and clinical trials have been positive.)

There are drawbacks. Let's face it – strapping your arm underneath your pillow makes cuddling difficult. And the manufacturer acknowledges that the pillow's incline could be a pain in the neck for the first few nights. It was for Rick, but he says it was well worth it. If he's not snoring, I'm sleeping. That means I'm not jabbing him in the side.

Our nights are not snore-free. Occasionally, I can still hear light snuffling. And sometimes, Rick pulls his arm out of the sling. He ends up on his back and the blasting begins. But that's rare.

I have become the unpaid spokeswoman for the Sona Pillow in Tampa and points beyond. I'm considering buying stock. My brothers-in-law — both wild snorers — are getting the pillows for Christmas.

We are saved.

Breathe Right Nasal Strips and Breathe Right Brand Snore Relief Wintergreen Throat Strips

How they work: Breathe Right Nasal Strips open nasal passages, so you can breathe through your nose and close your mouth while you sleep. Breathe Right Snore Relief Throat Strips dissolve on the tongue and lubricate throat tissues to minimize vibrations and control the snoring sound.

Price: Box of 30 Breathe Right Strips, large, tan, $12.99; Breathe Right Brand Snore Relief Wintergreen Throat Strips, box of 30 with four Breathe Right Strips included, $10.99

Available at: Pharmacies and other stores that sell health aids; online at drugstore.com

Grade: C+

Rick tried Breathe Right Strips years ago, when we first heard they could help with snoring. Unfortunately, his battered beak is so misshapen, the strips won't stay stuck. While the adhesive holds, they work great, but they start to pull away from the sides of Rick's nose before he ever gets into bed.

I was skeptical about the Snore Relief Throat Strips, but they did last for a while, and might work well for a lesser snorer. We got four to five hours of sleep before the racket ramped up. Not bad, but not enough.

The package of 30 throat strips comes with four nasal strips, so it's worth trying.

Chin-Up Strips and Breathe Right Strips (see above)

How they work: The Chin-Up Strip supports the chin during sleep, promoting nasal breathing. The manufacturer recommends applying the strip 30 minutes before bedtime to be sure the user is breathing comfortably through his nose.

Price: Tan horseshoe 30-count pack, $13 plus $6.50 shipping (other styles available)

Available at: Call the Chin-Up company at 1-888-835-4563; online at chinupstrip.com and drugstore.com

Grade: D

The Chin-Up Strip seemed the easiest treatment to me, but Rick was reluctant to try it. He didn't like the idea of gluing the strip to his chin. ("Why don't you just duct tape his lips together?" one friend asked when I told her about it.)

He was a trouper, though, and let me stick both the Chin-Up and the Breathe Right strips to his face before we went to bed.

I didn't see how the Chin-Up, which doesn't cover the lips, would actually keep his mouth closed, but Rick verified that it did with a nod.

"I love you for doing this," I said.

"Mmmph mmmph mmph," he replied.

He fell asleep pretty quickly, even though he isn't used to breathing through his nose at night. He didn't snore, but his breathing was labored and loud.

Then he started snoring. With his mouth closed. And it was JUST AS LOUD AS IT EVER WAS.

At 2 a.m. I gave up, and he got up and headed to the guest room.

That said, this product does what it says – it keeps the user's mouth shut. It might be just the thing for someone who has not had his nasal passages smushed by a solid right cross.

Or for the wife of someone who has.

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