Head Rush/Dizziness When Trying to Fall Asleep - Can Anyone Help?

Hi,
I started this forum because I was encouraged that there are others on here experiencing a head rush sensation or dizziness when trying to fall asleep - it's an awful feeling as many of you know, but the responses already on here have been helpful to read. I have been experiencing this for weeks now and don't know what to do. I have struggled with anxiety since high school, related to having had irregular heart beats, but have always kept it very much in control, especially in the last few years.

Early this year I started having trouble sleeping because of this head rush issue, and there always seems to be a correlation with my heartbeat where it feels as though it's pausing for a split second, then I get this head rush sensation, and then my heartbeat is quicker and harder for a few seconds until it adjusts back to normal. This went away for months, and I had attributed it to stress about a flight/trip I was taking, but about 3 weeks ago it started again. I can feel perfectly fine all day and evening, and as soon as my head hits the pillow, it begins.

I have no anxiety-producing events in my life right now (except for this) and am not to my knowledge feeling anxious when this happens (just super tired!) but it certainly makes me anxious because it is happening. It's a vicious cycle and it keeps me up for hours. My doctor diagnosed it as anxiety and prescribed Xanax, but when I take that to help me sleep, it actually makes it worse, which makes me think it's not anxiety?

I've had full workups of my heart health - holter monitors, EKGs, ultrasounds, stress tests - everything checks out. I don't doubt this could be caused by anxiety but don't know how to make it go away. I can be so tired my eyes won't stay open and yet I cannot sleep. It's making me late for work and causing me to skip morning exercise classes I have always gone to and really enjoy.

FYI, I am 31, female, very active and overall in good shape, and typically eat very healthy. I've considered diet as a possible cause or contributor of this and am currently making some changes in sugar intake to see if it helps.
Thanks for any help you can provide. I am seeking medical opinions but I consistently feel as though my doctors - even my cardiologist - do not understand this problem or how to help.

Thanks I will definitely try the breathing and muscle relaxation before going to bed; that sounds like a good idea as I am sure I have pent up anxiety worrying about whether I will be able to sleep before I even go to bed.
I didn't realize that Xanax might not agree with me so I will talk to my doctor about switching to something else.
Have not tried therapy or self-help, at least recently. I did therapy before but didn't find it very helpful. Anxiety is frustrating because it can cause the very problems that you get anxious about.

I like listening to meditation videos on you tube, with my headphones, sometimes they work sometimes they don't, but if you find a good one, that works for you it can be a great help. I listen to one and make it to about the 2 minute mark before I'm out. I agree to looking into the medication even though they're all in the same category many people experience them differently. Hope this helps