A few months ago my rheumatologist put me on Elavil because I have chronic pain that keeps me up at night (I have inflammatory arthritis). It is often prescribed for that reason, so I wouldn't assume that your doctor is thinking you are just depressed. I take 50 mg at night before i go to bed and have not found it to be very sedating. I now am taking vicodin too and that helps but I wake up when it wears off so I know how frustrating it is to have issues with sleeping.