Falling asleep and you feel you are actually falling

http://io9.com/5895375/why-does-falling-asleep-sometimes-feel-like-falling-down

Certainly I've only had it maybe a couple of times when really exhausted, I wouldn't recommend it. I had a cycle of dropping off, horrifying feeling I was falling into the bed, waking up in a panic, then doing the same again.

I was sent home from work today for passing out and being unconscious for 3 to 4 minutes. It has never happened before I was on a first aid course and for a few seconds everyone thought I was taking the pi55.
It scared me I came around and had no idea that I had been out.

are you sure you're not starting to have panic attacks , are you stressed out , I have them all the time & are extremely scary , you lose all oxygen for a moment & your head just Zings out , literally feels like you're dying for a minute or two .. but I just moan a lot

Had that sensation a few times JC but then again I'm getting old.
Paddy have you started a diet or stopped drinking as passing out often occurs when you change your eating or drinking habits although 3/4 minutes wouldn't be the norm, more like 10/20 seconds.

@McM
You are probably unconsciously (forgive the pun) worrying about the deficit.

Paddy was back-skuttling the office temp and had a head rush..

If I was passing out for no reason I'd be seeing the doctor pronto.

Do you drive or cycle or operate machinery? It could easily be fatal, indirectly.

I wish I could lucid dream, every time I realise I'm dreaming I wake up .

Get on to Co-codamol for a few weeks, then enjoy your dreams.

The sense of falling just after going to sleep is called a hypnic jerk.  The brain is sending a message to the muscles to rebalance themselves.

There are a lot of jerks on here.

they say the falling is a  negative ,worries ....insecurity the subconcious warning you of an impending thump ,have a look about you

had them when I was younger ,total freefall dreams ,waking up very quickly sitting upright with a fright just before a hit the bottom

WAS MY SUBCONCIOUS TELLING ME SUMMIT ,yes it was ,a was worrying too much ,working too hard and NOT taking enough holidays .

I dreamt that I ate a giant marshmallow last night.

When I woke up I had a sore throat and my pillow was gone.

I've had that 'falling' feeling too, but the most scary thing of all when you're tired is that truly horrible 'sleep paralysis' thing. I used to get it a lot back in the 90s during a period of extreme stress. Thank the Lord it's gone away since.

   to S&GC btw