Need Sleep, Trouble Swallowing

My sleep is disrupted every night by difficulty swallowing.  When I have a cold, sleep is virtually impossible.  I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism and a specialist said I probably have sleep apnea (though I've never been tested).  I wake up many times throughout the night to my own snore and feel like I can't swallow.  I sit up, drink water, open my mouth slightly, and turn my chin up in the air to re-open my throat.  I just tried Neo-synephrine, but it only helped my nasal sinuses and did nothing to open my throat.  I have a cough now, so Robitussin helps clear up phleghm that seems to be obstructing the passageway.  I'm still looking for a permanent solution.  It's affecting my whole life... I'm chronically tired, I have little energy to workout and I used to be very active.  I'm relatively young and I'd like to get my life back!