30+ year problem, getting better . . .

Hi, this is my first post. I'll be as brief as I can.

- I'll be 68 in August, have had sleeping problems for at least 30 years, off and on, but worse as I got older.

- Struggled with OTC pills until I finally went to doc in '04 and got a 'script for Ambien. They worked pretty well for a long time, but eventually not so much. Last couple of years I've had to take other pills with them often.

- Switched to Lunesta a year or so ago, not much change. Had to supplement with the occasional OTC or Xanax to get to sleep, doc was okay with all of it.

- Got fed up with all the pills and went to sleep clinic this January. Doc told me to take melatonin (which I had already been taking at bedtime) four hours before sleep time, and orange-tinted glasses three hours before bedtime.

- My problem has always been a racing mind, and never getting drowsy, so I've done a lot of reading and learned how to control the ol' brain.

I've been falling asleep quite well now for a good two months or more -- although I am still taking Lunesta every night. No more reading in bed (a life-long habit) and no TV in bed, tough to break but I've done it.

But for the past couple of weeks I often wake up in early morning (4-5 a.m., alarm is for 7) and thrash around, although I do usually go back to sleep but it is not a "good" sleep.

Question #1: Why is this happening, and how do I fix it?

#2: How do I get off of Lunesta? I'm afraid of trying it as I suspect that not taking it will have the reverse-placebo effect on me. From what I've read, I guess you're not supposed to split these pills. I am on the max dose of 3mg, but won't see the doc again for a couple of months and not sure if I should cut them in half or wait to see him for a weaker dose.

TIA!