Medications/Methods to fall asleep and STAY asleep?

[Krash48]

I cannot remember the last night I had a solid 6-8 of sleep in a row or waking up refreshed at all.  My mind does not slow down to go to sleep and I wake up several times a night (sometimes because of pain, and sometimes I just check the clock to see how much time I have left to sleep before my alarm is going to go off.  Way back in high school I used to set an alarm for 330am just so i could wake up and know I could go back to sleep.  I think that's how I started this vicious cycle.  I work weekdays from 8-4 so I wake up at 7am and I go to bed around 9 and watch TV or play on my laptop and try to be asleep by 11.  I need TV or a laptop as a distraction to wind my mind down.  I don't read so that's out of the question.  I take Elavil, Xanax (.5mg), and Restoril (30mg) to help me fall asleep, but NOTHING has eve  helped me STAY asleep.  When I go to sleep, I turn my TV or laptop off so there's no lig]ht anywhere near my eyes.  I also take melatonin.  

I'd like feedback from others who have trouble sleeping.  I have been on Lunesta and Ambien before but was scared of the potential side effects so i was weaned off.  My sleep specialist wants me to go into my room at night, try for 15-20 minutes to fall asleep, and if i don't, I am supposed to leave my room and go out to the living room again and try the 15-20 minutes to fall asleep in my room until it works, so my brain will eventually only associate  my room//bed instead of this "torture chamber" as my doctor calls it because it's a place where I don't get any rest.

Anyone with similar experience?

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament. But the best way would be to stop thinking about sleep and your sleeplessness. The more anxious you get, the more difficulty you will have falling asleep and this become s a vicious cycle. There is a circadian rhythm for all living organisms. It is a 24 hour cycle rhythm and the biological clock within that individual adapts to this rhythm. You have set your rhythm in a particular way which suits your modes of work.

If you observe this rhythm, the transition happens gradually, like the daylight subsides slowly into darkness and the sounds too gradually mellow down into the night. These changes condition us and promote sleep. So, simply imbibe this rhythm. And, nearing bed time, do not engage in activities like exercise or dancing or other means that can keep you active.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[Jasongrayz]

I know what you mean I used to have a problem staying asleep:/ now I have a problem getting up lol.iv been off my ambien all summer now and it's great. I found that to lau down with a pet (cats are best) help put your kind to rest. Also have you tried diffrent positions to sleep in? also sleeping by someone that you love trust and real safe around can help im sixteen and just being in the same room as my mother helps me sleep. And dont forget that drinking something warm can help to the warm liquid in your stomach will rest your muzzles. I used to take a **** of vodka before bed because of the warm dealing in your stomach our gives. Good luck and I hope you get some sleep skyler