My sentiments echo LoftyLottie's. ;o}
I am an insomniac & have tried Nytol. All they did was keep me awake half the night & gave me such a hangover in the morning. I've also tried Valerian tablets, which seemed to relax me, but didn't make me sleep. My GP occasionally gives me sleeping tablets, but I don't like to rely on them, only taking half or a whole one if I'm really having trouble dropping off!
My best sleeps are when I nod off on the sofa watching telly - then once I wake up, I go to bed, stick an ear plug in one ear & an in-ear phone in the other & listen to a spoken word tape, which usually helps me get back to sleep.
P.S. Lottie - I can't put whole ear plugs in my ears either, as they make mine ache too. I always cut them in half & they fit just right. Hope that helps!