Waking up uncontrollably

Hey guys,
if this is in the wrong spot, just move it.
Need some advice or thoughts on something weird happening.
Every couple of months, usually when I’m tossing and turning trying to pass out at night, I get this sudden, terrifying feeling like my appendix is gonna burst or my heart's gonna stop. It hits me so hard I have to bolt straight out of bed and head to the bathroom—not even because I gotta go, just to move around and make sure I’m actually okay.
Last night was the worst. I was dead asleep when I suddenly jolted awake, gripped by this insane fear that some physical emergency was about to happen, so I scrambled toward the bathroom.
I don't remember everything perfectly, but it felt like I was drifting in that half-asleep state when the panic just slammed into me. I jumped up so fast it felt like I'd been shot out of a cannon.
Anyone else dealt with this crap? Any idea what it could be?

Unfortunately, I’m dealing with the exact same thing. For me, it all spiraled when my father fell seriously ill—and then, heartbreakingly, passed away—about five years ago. Since then, it’s been this constant, exhausting cycle where things settle down for a bit, only to hit me even harder again. This past week, in particular, has been one of those intense stretches. I truly sign my name to everything you wrote here. It’s just this overwhelming fear—this terrifying feeling that something is actually going to happen to me—and most of the time, it feels like my heart is just going to stop mid-beat. Usually, my only fix is to force myself out of bed and pace around the room until I can catch my breath. It’s clearly psychological—just pure anxiety. Though, I have to admit, I’m at that age where I see more and more people my age struggling with health issues too. When a wave hits, I try my hardest to distract myself—to pivot my brain toward anything else—rather than letting my mind spin those dark, catastrophic scenarios I used to fall into back in the day, which would leave me completely frantic. Now, I just tell myself: "Don't go there, don't overthink it." I'll just walk a lap around the house, head back to bed, and try to sleep through it. Hang in there—you aren't alone in this. 🙂

Alright, thanks.
So what would we even call that then? Anxiety or a full-blown panic attack?

Daniel Nguyen73 said:alright, thanks.
So what would we even call that then? Just anxiety, or a full-blown panic attack?

I’d say it sounds more like that heavy feeling right before a panic attack hits. Attacks can trigger other issues, sure, but they don't always have to.
Sometimes it just stays at that level.😛

What you described doesn't sound like a panic attack. God forbid you actually have to deal with one.🙏 You'll know it when it happens!😲