Cannot breathe?

I am trying to take a nap to relieve my flank pain but I keep being jolted awake because every time I get close to falling asleep my body stops breathing and I end up gasping for air. It's like I have to force myself to breathe. I am exhausted because of this so I know I could sleep but my body won't breathe without me telling my brain to do it. Why won't my motor functions allow me to breathe subconsciously?