Problems converting my AOL Screen Name to AppleID?

I'm hoping you have some advice for me. When I follow the instructions and try to convert my 'AOL screen-name' account to a new 'AppleID' account using a new, different email address, it won't let me do it. When I open the page to convert, it has already entered my AOL screename followed by @aol.com in the email box as the default 'example'. But when I overtype it to a new, unused email address (it does permit me to overtype it), and enter new passwords, it reverts the email address back to the AOL email address (which I have already reused previously as an AppleID, as others have done), and tells me I can't use that one because it already exists as an AppleID. But, it will never permit me to enter a new one! Help!