Erika, Willie sounds so wonderful. To think that he stays with you until you sleep, then goes to his own bed. Another story about an intelligent animal.

I too am up in the middle of the night on the computer, as that is my pattern. I sleep a short while, get up and do something and drink Ginger tea, and that will usually put me back to sleep. I took Ginger tea BEFORE bedtime tonight, and it didn't work this time. Probably an over-active day--out watching the eclipse in a park, driving to Santa Fe to see a grandson's Lacrosse game--just did too much. Tomorrow I will be mostly a vegetable.
But seriously, Ginger tea helps me sleep. I use a brand called Ginger Aide which has just the right combo of herbs for me. I too cannot take much medication and will have gastric trouble from some of them, and Ginger Tea soothes my stomach. I advise you start with half a cup and build up, as it is strong. I think other ginger forms would help, such as candied ginger cubes, but I have not had any of those for a while.

If I do not take enough magnesium and calcium during the day, I will spasm and jerk all night. I need at least 1000 mg of magnesium a day, about same for calcium. I take these instead of Baclofen or Zanaflex, which I could not tolerate, and the neuro advised magnesium. Good thing I had that Neuro. I take the magnesium at lunch and dinner, and the calcium mid-morning and mid afternoon, not at same time as magnesium.