Can't Sleep!

Hi all, I am Tony and I'm 55 years of age. I'm having trouble sleeping. This is how it all started...

Trying to fix my sleep pattern

I have had a messed up sleep pattern on and off for years where I can't sleep at all at night. I normally fall asleep between 6 and 7 am, and will sleep for about 6 to 7 hours sometimes 8 hours if I'm lucky, but about a week ago I decided to try and get my sleep pattern back in order and sleep at the right times. Big mistake!

Staying awake all night to sleep at night

I tried by staying awake all night and day so hopefully I would sleep in the night like a normal person would, but how wrong I was. I fell asleep for two hours and that was it. I've struggled ever since trying to change my sleep routine. That was about a week ago, now when I finally manage to get some sleep it's only for an hour or two. I have probably had about six hours sleep in the last week. I don't know what to do and I'm going to try and get a doctor's appointment in the morning as I have tried relaxing and taking deep slow breaths and nothing. I have tried reading which does eventually get me tired and nodding off but as soon as I fall asleep, I'm awake again an hour later, sometimes two if lucky! ☹️