long term sleep issues

[daves123]

Hello, I have had sleeping problems for the last 15 years but I do not have sleep apnea.
Rather, I have trouble attaining deep sleep. I wake numerous times in the night and have trouble getting back to sleep.
I take occasional Zopiclone and also over-the-counter magnesium based sleeping pills.
Without this medication I only sleep adequately 50% of the time at best.

I have a very low stress job so have been able to cope. However I am now changing roles and really want to get this sorted. It has had a big detrimental effect on my life and mental state over the years.
I have been to the doctors numerous times over the years. They offer no solution apart from Zopiclone and the other normal advice, such as relax before bedtime, no food late at night etc. etc. etc. None of this works for me apart from the meds.

Can anyone offer any further suggestions ?
Thank you kindly.

[HarryWmG]

There is no one cause of "can't get a good night's sleep" syndrome. There are many 'sleep-breathing problems" besides sleep apnea. A new visit to a sleep doc will determine if it's a physical problem.  I suspect you have both that problem and a psychological problem that there are "pills" for but I would suggest self-hypnosis technique for getting and staying asleep which is far better than a drug.

[skydnsr]

I'm sorry.  When I just re-read your post, it does seem like you have had a sleep study.  May I ask, when was the last sleep study that you had, and what was the resulting diagnosis?

[skydnsr]

A sleep study should identify any physical problems, such sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, etc.  I would see a sleep medicine specialist and do that.  You will go to a "lab" that looks like a motel room, and you will sleep with monitors hooked up to you.  The doctor looks at the readouts in the morning.  The first thing to do is to make an appointment with a sleep medicine specialist.  Good luck.