Yes, I do know what you're going through; after being treated with Interferon for Hepatitis C my whole being has changed. I feel like there is damage throughout my CNS; in fact I do have damage to my right optic nerve.

Anyway, up until recently I had been using Trazodone , which works as good as Ambien but is much easier to walk away from.

I no longer use prescription meds for sleep, but I do use melatonin(3mg) with good result.