I don't sleep . . .

well at all. Unassisted by drugs (legal, of course), I sleep two nights a week if I'm lucky (even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while). It's been going on for over a year but I've just started talking about it to others - I believe that complaining about an issue gives it energy and may make it worse. But I thought maybe someone had a cure for me.

I've tried relaxation techniques, deep breathing, Tylenol PM, warm milk, melatonin (recommended by a local drugstore's pharmacist) - all ineffective. A local health food store recommended an herbal concoction called Valerian. It worked six out of the seven nights I took it and I was thrilled.

Then I saw an ad in the paper seeking subjects to test an experimental sleeping aid drug. It's a seven-week study and I thought at last, I'd probably be able to sleep for weeks. The first visit to the research physician's office was very thorough - a complete physical, EKG, blook work, etc. I received the first round of test drug on the 2nd visit and was told it was either a placebo or a very low dose of the real thing.

Every night I recorded when I took the drug and when I went to bed. Every morning I called in to an automated phone line and punched in the previous night's sleep experience. I slept well two of the seven nights (my usual pattern lately).

I was so disappointed (and surprised) to find out on my third visit that I "responded too well" to the drug and was ejected from the study. I don't get it, but I assume they know what they're doing. I took a lot of research courses in college so I know how exactingly subjects must be chosen.

So I went back to the health food store to get more Valerian - the formula I took before won't be available for maybe a month. I bought another formula and it hasn't worked the past 3 nights.

Damn. Any advice from anyone out there?