Are you breathing properly during the dreams? Could you be waking up as your need to breath has kicked in and the rapid breathing is to catch up?

You don't necessarily need to gasp for breath to recover from an apnea event.

I have what I call stressful dreams when I am not breathing correctly. They are full of conflict and anxiety.

I believe mine are caused by poor neck position due to a neck injury I suffered with my head injury.

Many medical supply/rental companies rent Pulse Ox alarm systems that can even record these events.