thanks for all of the replies again everyone.
i was tested for sleep apnea last year. i have a milder version called u.a.r.s.. fortunately, i was considered only a borderline case, so i didn't get the c-pap machine.
(it coulda been worse. it might have been called u-a.s.s
).
my breathing wasn't completely to blame for not being able to sleep, though. during the test, my brain became functioning enough so that it was determined that i woke up 28 times.
the doctor said it was fairly normal for midnight shift workers to experience these things.
i told the doc to look on the bright side. that means i fell asleep 27 times.
i'm going to try g.w.'s method, along with what the doc said was good bedtime hygiene.
i asked him why he thought i slept in a dirty bedroom. he laughed and said that the term meant to block out light as best as possible, have the room on the cool side, and either wear ear plugs or use a sound machine. dw got me the latter for christmas, but i have yet to use it.