I used to get these when trying to not drink for a night or 2, i would wake up unable to breathe...always dreams nothing physical (although pls go to docs to check yours out if need be), then have a mini panic attack afterwards...then sit up till the sun came up as i would be so freaked out and then back to sleep maybe...
I say mini panic attacks cos i had them for about 6 months when i was early twenties and they were really, really bad...not fun at all!
Havent had any of this in sobriety thank God!