Help! Woke up and panicked!?

Question

I just woke up in the middle of the night, gasping for breath. It felt like I'd stopped breathing and couldn't breath properly. I felt my pulse and it was so slow that I panicked and suddenly I started gasping for breath quickly as if i'd just been running.

It feels ok now but I'm scared to go back to sleep in case it happens again. I feel like I'm having to force my breathing

Answer 1

That's happened to me before. Only happened once a few years ago.

See a doctor if you're worried about it.

Answer 2

I have a cousin that has experienced this many, many times.  She has called EMSA to take her to the hospital on many occasions in the past 10 or 12 years.  She was diagnosed with panic/anxiety disorder.  It is apparently very common to wake up in the middle of the night in the midst of a full blown panic attack for no reason.  All the symptoms you mentioned are consistent with a panic attack EXCEPT for the slow pulse.  Most times during a panic attack your pulse is very fast, sometimes double the normal rate.  

Answer 3

You probably just fell into a real deep sleep.It is okay to go back to sleep.

Answer 4

Its called apnea and you may wanna stop smoking or be careful with your sorroundings (if you dont smoke) and I would recommend you to breath through a small straw for a while may be while you watch tv it will make your lungs way stronger