any tips/suggestions? thank you for your time, appreciate it

The doc's right, but you may also be licking your lips without your noticing out of habit. That causes your lips to chap after a while. Like the others suggested, exfoliate your lips with a toothbrush gently and rub vaseline on it before hitting the sack. That way you'll find your lips are more compliant in the morning. Then perform your usual morning routine and apply vaseline after taking a shower - keep it on for the rest of the day. The thing about vaseline is, it has no flavor, so you aren't tempted to lick your lips. Avoid getting flavored chapsticks/balms (ex. cherry, peppermint, vanilla, strawberry, etc.) as this will cause you to do just that. Try Neosporin at bedtime. It really helps and be sure to use your Chapstick throughout the day, especially after eating. You are not getting enought water and your cells are lacking water. If you drank more water you will notice your body feeling better. You will wake up in the mornig and your tong will be moist not dry drink fluids all day long and you chaped lips will go away Your lips are likely chapped due to dehydration, make sure you are drinking enough water. Try some vasoline rather than chap stick- I hate chapstick...it only makes the problem worse. This sounds kind of strange but really works, brush you lips with water and toothbrush, it will exfoliate them so skin can replenish it's self. You may be allergic to the ingredients of the lip balm. There are several I am allergic to. Some of them even cause a type of addiction that when you stop using them your lips will chap! I stick to Lip Rageous or Bonne Bell brands. I only buy the regular lip balm sticks (they can be flavored though) not the liquids or gels. I have learned this over time, I hope it helps!