My husband has sleep apnea and this is what he experiences. Your body goes into fight or flight mode when you stop breathing, and when you wake up you still feel that panic. If you aren't already seeking medical attention for sleep apnea, you really should. It puts a big strain on your heart.
My husband has been diagnosed but couldn't handle the cpap machine and he isn't doing anything else about it. But, things that have helped him is lowering his caffeine intake and sleeping more propped up. Although, my husband's weight is his problem.