Breathe Right...or Better?

Hello. I'd like to be paid for my upcoming endorsement of this product. Thank you. ;)

I have been having trouble sleeping well lately. I wake up about 10 times a night for a brief moment, look at the clock, growl, flip over, and go back to sleep. Actually, usually I have this problem. But it seems to be worse these days. My husband thinks I have sleep apnea (when you stop breathing for at least 10 seconds then "snort" yourself awake. Lovely, right?). Since I tend to panic over disorders, problems, sicknesses, etc., I started doing some research on it (thank you, Google). I decided to try the least invasive "treatment" option first: Breathe Right strips. They pull the skin away from the sides of your nose just enough to allow better air-flow. When my dad was here visiting in November, he told me he's used them and loves them. So this could be good! My best guess at self-diagnosis is that I am a "mouth breather." It takes quite a lot of energy for me to breathe through my nose, especially while sleeping. It's always been super annoying. Seems like I always have some sort of congestion or something--whether it's the super dry air here lately (nose hurts so bad or bleeds a bit), my allergies (not looking forward to spring), or pregnancy making your sinuses more "inflamed" or whatever they say.

So yesterday I finally remembered to buy the strips! They make clear ones in a package of 12 for $5 at Wallymart. They were about $2 more at other stores. Anyways--I ripped open the package and applied one before bed last night. Oh wait, I forgot to say that while checking out at the supermarket the cashier said she tried these and they didn't help at all (way to rain on my parade, lady)! Regardless, I put that thing on my nose. Immediately I could breathe through my nose like I was born to do it! I ran upstairs and jumped on the bed to show Reuben my new, cool sticker on my face! He just burst out laughing! I can't blame him, it was pretty funny! I laid down on my pillow and just enjoyed the fact that I could breathe with my mouth closed! Ahhhhh. This was going to be great. Just great. AND it is really comfy. Once I put it on, I couldn't even feel it anymore. I'm a side sleeper, too, and it didn't poke my nose or anything while I was laying on the pillow. Score!

So what's my verdict? I think I woke up maybe only 3 times last night. That is still a huge improvement over the night before! I asked Reuben if he heard me snoring or anything and he said "nope." Woo hoo! Now the only problem is if I use these for the rest of my life it could be a significant investment. I think you can buy a box of 30 for $10. So that would be about $120/year for the rest of my life to breathe. Ok yeah, I can live with that. :) I just hope it doesn't permanently stretch out my skin and make my nose wider! :P