Lack of sleep... blargh.

I've been having issues sleeping, which has a tendency to occur in the fall, but for some reason it just hit me know.  I'm not sure why, but I actually went to the doctor since I've been getting sick a lot more and can't catch up with my sleep and stay sick longer.  It ranges to a number of possible issues, but this time I was give an uber pill of vitamin d^3 and some sleeping pills.  I was told I could get a lamp, but I'm holding off on that for now.  My issue is that I've been taking a generic Ambien now and it hasn't helped too much.  I've had crazy intense dreams that would give Stephen King inspiration for a couple of books.  Just wondering if anyone has these issues and if anything has worked... it may be a seasonal type disorder, not sure.  Maybe its just that my 360 broke and I have so far refused to replace it.