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.

I've had some pretty unpleasant dreams since my injury as well. They also started before I was on any medication. I don't really have any advice for you...just thought I'd drop in and let you know your not alone on this.

Some of the dreams I have are very disturbing. A couple nights ago I had a dream I stabbed myself in the chest....I don't have thoughts of suicide, so I have no idea where that came from.

They don't happen often enough for me to be bothered by them. I have more of a problem with waking up...as I've been waking up disoriented (unfamiliar with my surroundings, thinking it's December when it's really January, etc.).