Melatonin helps me, and it is a potent anti-oxidant as well. A friend of mine with breast cancer is prescribed it by her doc (in higher than OTC doses). I believe the prescription drug Rosarem (not sure if I spelled that right) is just a high dose of Melatonin. I take the 3mg size, and it really does seem to help me drift off to sleep faster, unless something is really bothering me.

I have a backup Rx of Ambien for those nights that I know I am not going to be able to fall asleep easily -- say, if I have something big coming up the next day that makes me anxious. Within 1/2 hour of taking one, I am in dreamland, but you definitely don't want to take them every night as you'll get horrible rebound insomnia.

Good luck -- I do feel your pain. Great sleep seems more and more elusive to me as I get older.

Emily