Hi, bethyrosie, I am very much further down life's pathway than you but I have had similar symptoms - suddenly waking up feeling spaced out and slightly panicky is how I would describe it. I quickly realised that it was due to abnormaly low blood pressure. This is easily diagnosed if you have a blood pressure monitor and they are inexpensive these days. Strangely I found that getting out of bed and walking about cleared it instantly however it was a precursor to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) which has blighted the last 17 years of my life. The AF forced me to sleep on my back and only now am I looking into sleep apnoea treatment to see if it will give me a better sleep pattern by stopping me snoring. Another precusor was that my pulse would slow down into the low 50s then suddenly go into the 90s + i.e. AF. You should be too young to have this but it is easily checked with the BP monitor if you use it when the sensation occurs. (your BP may be normal at all other times). Big Al
