Every one I talk with about not sleeping thru the night has the same or similar problems. Especially women.
I fall asleep okay. Just don't stay asleep. The sleep cycles are interrupted and I'm always tired. After 3 sleep studies and dozens of mental health Rx, I continue to suffer.
Sleep deprivation feeds the anxiety.
Most of the time I go to sleep ok but wake up about 2.30 and can,t get back to sleep, I read and make myself tea. Sometimes I go back to sleep for a couple of hours. It feels like I have a switch that turns me on then my mind fills up with thoughts, if only I had an off switch too. Some nights I can,t go to sleep until up to 1 am in the morning, I am always tired and feel drained.
Delythn this is so much like me I stay up as late as I can sometimes 1am but I still wake up 3-30 then the panic starts so I have to get up I am exhausted and feel even more depressed take care you are not alone
Sounds like our sleep problems are different according to different responses on this site.
Still comes down to not getting a full cycle of sleep to cope with the every day world.
The remedies I've tried have not worked for me. That does not mean you would ignore them for yourself.
A couple of decades ago I could sleep longer with a Tylenol at bedtime. I have a Very sensitive tolerance to any and all meds. Now that Tylenol doesn't work at all. We all change as we age.
Mental health Psychiatrists have a large list of meds they recommend. Big Pharma received their share of the big bucks from me. I tried them all. Sick, sick, sick!
Now I'm on the more natural path with the Dr. suggesting Vitamin D and SAMe.
Time will tell.
I have just now found this site. I can't remember when the last time I actually slept through the whole night anymore. I always try the natural route, right now it's 1 mg. of melatonin from Source Naturals along with 1 capsule of Enhanced Stress Relief from Life Extension. It makes me fall asleep great, yet I still have problems with waking. Also I just can't seem to go to sleep early, I'm usually up most of the night before going to sleep, almost like 3rd. shift. I'm retired, and that's my schedule right now unfortunately.
Talk Therapists say we don't sleep thru the nite because we nap during the day.
Well--- trying to stay awake during the day when my brain feels confused and fried is not the answer either.
Body rejected meds made to help to calm the body and mind. Body rejects almost every med I've tried in the past 5 yrs. Now going the natural route with Vitamin D and SAMe. It's only been a week. Nothing to report so far.
Marheart, SAMe seems to be good, I don't know if vitamin D will help with sleep, but, it's also good for you. However, SAMe just might be better for mood or nervous issues. With the melatonin I take, I find that 1 mg. is enough to usually do the trick, some people might need more, but, I don't think too much more, it's really usually potent stuff, your body only makes a tiny fraction of 1 mg. usually, so even though 1 mg. is a small amount, it's still a lot over what your body makes naturally. Early morning sun will help with making it for later on near sleep time. If you are using SAMe, make sure that it's from a good company, it's a little pricey also. Try to do searches on the internet with Life Extension, you can even call them to speak with someone who would help.
You say you have had sleep studies, have they checked you for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)?
This is classic sign and can be helped by CPAP machine if it is cause.
Go to sleep OK.
Wake loads of times during night go to toilet go back to sleep.
Sometimes wake heavy chest or feel suffocating (you might not get last if it is mild form)
Used a CPAP for 3 yrs, took off 94 lbs and returned the machine to the lending company. That was 5 yrs. ago.
Tryptophan supplement is well documented as an aid to sleep. It is a protein found in food. WebMD recommends it with reviews. The old wives tale of warm milk may help as it has tryptophan in it - I find milky cocoa helps, as chocolate too can help your brain.
I have a sleep disorder, but have followed all the guidelines to help sleep including going to bed as late as you can, cutting down on the light in your bedroom to encourage natural melatonin in the body to form, to help you sleep. We are like animals reacting to the light in the day time, and the dark at night. Now we have more light with TV computers and phones which can switch off your melatonin production. I sleep with my curtains slightly open to see the moon, and street lamps. I take a sleeping pill zopiclone, which as worked well for 8 years. Gaining more oxygen by drinking water throughout the day, may help your nerves. The oxygen in water is absorbed into the circulation from breathing. Dehydration may affect your breathing. I use a water filter to screen out chlorine and other chemicals, but no one else seems bothered in my family.
Sleep and migraine
Sleep apnea
Sleep apena
Can’t sleep very well
can’t sleep 
