Wow! The sleep problems you describe are exactly what I was experiencing until I started the Elavil. "I was falling asleep sitting on my couch, however, it was not a restful sleep, I had what I call mini movies - I felt I was half awake and half asleep - and was living things and thinking I was actually doing the stuff I was dreaming" -- YES! This is exactly what I was experiencing! Sometimes I actually felt like I was floating around my apartment, making lunch and such, but really I was sleeping the whole time. ANd it's a series of waking up, dreaming, falling asleep, but not really sleeping...It's TERRIBLE. And you know, not sleeping well really makes my IBS worse because a bad night's sleep is stressful and leaves you more susceptible to the effects of stress. Plus, not sleeping enough seemed to make me more sensitive to pain during the day and more anxious.
I also take Ativan for panic attacks and for those nights I can't sleep. I swear the best sleep I get is when I take my 10 mg of Elavil with .5 mg of lorazepam/Ativan. Trust me, do NOT feel bad about having to take meds to live a normal life. If you need to take the lorazepam with the adapin for a while, then do so; ask your doctor if that would be okay. I only take lorazepam (.5 - 1 mg) a couple of times a month or when I'm in a situation that may cause panic (for example, flying). Remember that lorazepam only lasts 6 - 8 hrs, so if you're only taking .25 mg at bedtime, it's going to wear off and that's probably why you're waking up with a panic attack (I'm assuming that's why your heart is pounding -- that's definitely one of my symptoms of panic). I have a heart murmur that comes and goes, and so far it has not been made any worse by taking Elavil. Your heart racing could be more of an anxiety reaction than a side effect of your med.
Anyway, I really believe that it's better to take meds and be able to live life and enjoy it, then not take it and suffer. I've been on my meds for one year now and for the first time in nine years I have flown TWICE this summer, gone on a real vacation, gone to a huge concert, visited family and SURVIVED (and following the IBS guidelines during those trips). I never thought I'd fly again! And, even though, I'm not ready to be a jet-setter at least I know that I can do it and that there is something that will make me comfortable and not crazy during a flight.
A few years ago, I thought going on meds made me a weak person, but after being diagnosed with lupus and my IBS getting worse, I realized that resisting meds actually was making me a weaker, unhappier person. I really felt like I was losing myself. In the end, thanks to the inspirational people on these boards, I had to learn to be a friend to myself which meant not judging myself or setting expectations that were unnecessary or ridiculous. Life is not perfect now and I have bad days and days with attacks and days I cry and feel sorry for myself, but the majority of my days are getting to be "normal."
Sorry to go off like that, but I just want you to do what's best for you! Don't be so hard on yourself if you have to rely on meds. As someone pointed out to me: Would you be so hard on yourself if you had to take meds to manage diabetes or another chronic condition? I hope not!  Hugs! 
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Re: LtDanFan! I had the same sleep problems!
