I wake up in the middle of the night but i find it extremely hard to breathe and I can't move my body?

I can't breathe, can't move any part of my body, and whenever I try to call out, i gasp for air and choke and barely get a whisper out. It used to only happen to me maybe twice a year, but for the past 4 months, it's happened at least 4 or 5 times a month, and in the past 2 weeks, it's happened 8 times. When I wake up, I'm sweating, but it isn't after a dream, it's just random. I feel like I'm gonna die because noone can hear me. Is this some sort of sleep disorder or what?

I wake up in the middle of the night but i find it extremely hard to breathe and I can't move my body?
My suggestion is to go to a doctor and a sleep lab so they can montitor your sleep and see if this is a serious condition. It sounds very serious, go to a doctor!
Reply:you scared the crap out of me.
Reply:It sounds like you are suffering from Anxiety Attacks. Go see your doctor, they can prescribe something to help you calm down and rest better.
Reply:While my strong hunch is that you're developing a phobia (fear without sound reason), get a doctor's appointment and request a PFT (pulmonary function test) to check your lung capacity. Among other things, we are trying to rule out asthma. Please write me if it turns out to be phobic or psychological. Good luck
Reply:Yep, it's the sleep disorder known as sleep paralysis, and it can indeed be terrifying. It happens to everyone rarely, but in cases like yours, it occurs more often. The reason that you feel trapped is that your brainwaves are out of sync... part of your brain is still in REM mode, which is responsible for dreams, and also for making sure you don't move in your dreams (because if you dreamt about soccer and moved accordingly, it would be bad). And I know you said it's not a dream, but the randomness comes from the same part of the brain. Another part of your brain has woken up, so to speak, so you are conscious of the fact that you're paralysed and terrified.





I suggest that you see a sleep specialist. They can do sleep tests that will confirm or deny any sleeping disorder you may have, and then recommend a course of action. You will probably rest much better after that.
Reply:I believe what you are experiencing is called sleep paralysis. It is the body's natural way of keeping us from physically acting out our dreams. Sometimes you half wake up and your body is still paralysed and it can be frightening if you don't know what is going on but it is natural. The body paralyses itself to keep it from physically acting out your dreams. The breathing thing is probably due to your fright and anxiety about not being able to move and feeling trapped and vulnerable.
Reply:Sounds almost like night terrors to me, except without the terror, but definitely it sounds like a disorder, have you been getting enough sleep and not been having stimulants like coffee before going to sleep?
Reply:I have sleep apnea. Many of the things you mention are symptoms of apnea. Go see your doctor.
Reply:No, that happens to me every once in a while. I think it just means that you have woken up but your body has not woken up with you at that time.
Reply:yes you are suffering from sleep disorder
Reply:yes, it is sleep paralysis. I have had that a few times. It is extremely scary. Do you hear noises with it?
Reply:This is something i would first suggest seeking a Dr's advice, I'm not a Dr but it sounds like sleep apnea.. or something i have experienced in my life.. sleep paralysis.. look into that. it is frightening and it is caused by if i remember correctly from being in a state of sleep that you are abruptly awoken from and your brain has not had time to "connect" fully with your body. google it, check it out. see your Dr though, this could be something very serious OK.