Can a hot flash occur without a sence of heat?

I have these episodes that I call surges. I always thought of them as being little anxiety attacks. Except I don't usually feel anxious before, after or durring them. It lasts usually less than a minute, sometimes maybe a bit longer. I get a feeling of being pulled down like when you just get off of a fast moving elevator and you still have the sensation of going down as you walk out. Maybe that's a "flush"? I get fuzzy headed, light headed, depth perception changes, on a rare occasion when they are worse than normal I feel an increased heart rate, but not usually. Could this be a "hot flash"?

I have had a sudden wave of radiating heat flush over my face with a foggy, fainting failing a few times in the shower. (is that a tongue twister?)
But I thought that was just the shower. Now i've read that there are triggers for hot flashes like hot showers, spicy food etc. So I wonder if those were real hot flashes too.

This is all pretty new for me, so maybe this is how they start?? Then they get worse with the heat and sweating?

I'm usually cold and get waves of chills that I guess are what y'all call cold flashes. I didn't realize there was such a thing until I started looking this stuff up recently. I thought it was just me.

Hi Ellgie,

What you descrbed could be a hot flash or maybe a fluctuation in hormones. I've had the same sensations before and I'm sure others have, too. I think our hot flashes vary depending on hormone levels, anxiety levels, and probably a number of other factors. I've had the kind where my face just gets red, and then I've had the kind where my clothes get damp.

I would try not to worry about it, but if you're really concerned, you could talk with your doctor. Otherwise, just buckle your seat belt, and welcome to the "peri roller coaster ride"!

Take care and best wishes!
Merry Christmas
Deb

Thanks and Merry Christmas to you, too. Thanks for the reply, I do have an appt for next month with a GP, i hope she knows about these things and doesn't think i'm silly since im young.

Anyone else??? It would be interesting to find out that these are like beginner hot flashes that i've been having.

I'm so glad you posted because I get those too...Have had only a perspiring forehead but no red face and heavy sweats. They make me, feel anxious...but not every time. I seem far more sensitive to heat eg in rooms and stores and also when in bed. Can't stand it when I get too warm. I have to take my coat off when I go supermarket shopping otherwise I feel hot and anxious, occasionally.

I get walloping ones like those all the time. They usually signify the start of a hot flush for me. I think it is something to do with the blood pressure altering and it is the most indescribably horrid feeling while it is happening. My heart rate increases as well-it absolutely pounds and I feel very anxious but it is a purely hormonal anxiety and I can feel it is not under conscious control.
It could be that they are the start of the real hot flushes to come for you.
At least you will know what they are and that you are not alone!
janet c

Thats a coincidence - I was going to post the exact same question. I have been having strange feelings for the last couple of months where all of a sudden a feel a huge surge of panic. I get goose bumps rather than feeling hot. There is nothing that pre-empts the feeling, I can be in bed, driving, watching TV but all of a sudden I get a strange light headed feeling and then whoosh - I feel completely overtaken with panic. It is extremely scarey. But then it goes within about 20 seconds. I have been to the doctor who doesn't think its a panic attack but hasn't really given me a diagnosis yet (still waiting for the results of a blood test). I am thinking they might be hot flushes because I am also having terrible sweats at night. Does anybody else get these sort of feelings?

Yes, I get this too. Mostly my face gets really RED and hot. Ususally don't perspire. Learned to dress differently (lots of cotton - no woolies this year!) I get the surges, the lightheadedness, the anxious feeling. I hate it, but thanks to you all, I know now it's just those pesky hormones surging. Breeeeath. It passes. Sure is scary though.