Last night, I think i had hot flashes in bed. It started with a feeling under my rib cage like someone lightly punched me. Then a wave went both down and up my body. The waves didn't have a temperature but when it got to my feet, i felt a slight warmness, followed by a slight clammyness. These were really quick but happened one after the other several times. Is this a hot flash?

Hi Ellgie,

Yes, it sounds like a version of one. They come in all forms, and mine were like yours in bed to start with. Now mine start more in the middle area [after my feet have gone hot] and slowly work up to my chest, and then my heart rate goes up with the heat, and as it creeps up to my face and head I could swear I am going to combust. So, I think you are getting the start of the flashes at night. Sadly, that is when I get my worse ones, but I keep water by the bed at ALL times, and as soon as I get a hint of the warmth, I drink the cold water, and I also keep a spray bottle of cold water alongside me.....and I have a few upstairs and downstairs....and I spray my entire upper body and face. This can cut down the intensity, or at least my perception of it. After I go through a few of these I often go to sleep, but they sometimes wake me. I think the punch you felt was your heart response to what was happening, so don't be scared of this, if you are. It is normal....whatever "normal" is for we Peri women.

Hugs,
Viktoria