Anybody have problems with insomnia? sm

What do you do?? I have tried lots of over-the-counter stuff, meditation, trying to wind down etc., but it is not working. The only thing that does work is Ambien. I dont seem to get good sleep otherwise, but I dont want to take this drug for the rest of my life.

I only seem to get about 5 hours of sleep at night and it is starting to show in my face (dark circles) and affecting my day-to-day activities.

Any suggestions on any other OTC med or anything else? Please, no warm milk, warm bath -- I have tried that too!

Follow Ups:

• Yep - I take NyQuil. nm - NQ 12:32:20 01/08/05 (0)
• Stop eating anything with sugar or caffeine - Me 03:11:46 01/08/05 (0)
• I've had it for years - Snow Bunny 21:44:57 01/07/05 (1)
  • so you work with it rather than drug yourself. good for you. i think drugs may - nm 08:04:15 01/08/05 (0)
• I have insomnia. Had to get meds for it!! - sm 17:38:27 01/07/05 (3)
  • Drugs? That's sad. Please read attached link. I use melatonin and it works - very well. I use Sundown 10:47:42 01/08/05 (2)
    • Ever heard of Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome? - forewarned 11:18:43 01/08/05 (1)
      • Apparently prescription drugs approved by the FDA are not safe either. I would - FWIW 12:24:58 01/08/05 (0)
• Donald Trump said he only sleeps 4-5 hours a night. Look what he has done! - Don't fight it. Capitalize. 16:01:20 01/07/05 (6)
  • Yeah, but... - GIRL 11:55:42 01/08/05 (1)
    • I think they look good for their stated age. Nothing like not having to worry - about bill paying. 12:28:42 01/08/05 (0)
  • I would like to have more energy for - GaPeach MT 20:22:34 01/07/05 (2)
    • You know energy is depleted by stress. Stress is from worry, be it about sleep - fyi 22:29:06 01/07/05 (1)
      • That's right NEVER lay in bed wishing you could go to sleep. If you have laid - nay 12:08:47 01/08/05 (0)
  • Ditto for Martha Stewart. nm - . 16:51:50 01/07/05 (0)
• Been there, you have me on sleep, only get 3-4....sm - Fellow Insomniac 15:31:33 01/07/05 (0)
• WHY are you having insomnia? - BTDT 14:57:44 01/07/05 (0)
• melatonin. over-the-counter supplement. - works naturally and well. 14:21:30 01/07/05 (3)
  • Melatonin - GIRL 11:57:13 01/08/05 (2)
    • Funny, I learned about it from doctors with jet lag problems. Of course if you - FWIW 12:17:50 01/08/05 (1)
      • There are thousands of "natural" OTC supplements - Just be careful. 12:31:41 01/08/05 (0)