[ladyIAM]

I have had Insomnia in one form or another all my life.
My oldest sister tells me that I would wake during the night as a toddler and wake her up to talk to me until I fell back to sleep.
I do remember having a terrible time falling asleep as a child especially in the summer when it stayed light so late and then I would wake up early as well.
In the 1980's, my mid to late twenties, I had real issues with falling asleep and the doctor gave me something that I took for 4 nights then missed a night then took for 3 nights then missed a night and so on. It worked well in establishing a sleep pattern and let me get 6 or 7 hours sleep a night for a year or so and then I would have to do it again. Unfortunately I don't remember what it was.
Fast forward to 1996 - I worked really strange hours 7pm to 11 pm and then 4:30am to 8:30am. Needless to say it completely messed up my sleep cycle and I got to the point that I would sleep for only 2 1/2 hours in a 24 hour period. I was given amitriptyline and it solved the falling asleep part but I have never found anything that keeps me asleep. I haven't had a dream or nightmare for years now.
My doctor always wants to treat the symptoms that the lack of sleep causes and not the sleep issue so his last attempt was Cymbalta for Chronic pain and that made me so depressed I became suicidal and had to taper off it which was pure He** and caused worse insomnia. So he gave me Tamazepam which also caused depression (I had to taper off it too as he gave it to me for too long).
So now I have no problems falling asleep but never stay asleep for long and am depressed and so tired that all I want to do is try to sleep.
I practise strict sleep hygiene, my bedroom is dark, cool and quiet, I do not have any caffeine (haven't for years), I exercise daily, and I have a relaxation routine that works like a charm to fall asleep.
Does anyone have any ideas of what I can do to stay asleep?
Can anyone relate to this?

[seelenschmerz]

Here is an article on the effects of not reaching REM sleep, which is when you dream. If you don't dream, then you probably don't reach REM.

Effects of Not Reaching REM Sleep

Have you been tested for things like sleep apnea? I've also read that the more sun you get during the day, the more likely it is you'll get more REM/get into REM faster. If I were you, I'd just do some research and try everything you can! I wish you all the luck in the world in finding your solution

[ladyIAM]

Yes I have been tested for sleep apnea and I don't have that.
I have researched like crazy but not found anything to help yet. Always looking for new stuff though.
Thanks for the link.
I used to dream occasionally but not for a long while now. It is not good for the body or mind to not sleep or dream.