The other day I got slightly upset (not bad at all) over not being able to concentrate at work, Then i swear i felt a light warmth radiate off of the back of my neck then my shoulder blades. It lasted about 8-10 seconds and then another happened a bit later. I'm usually very cold. My co-worker said she thought it was a hot flash. I'm also pretty woozy-lightheaded-foggy with a sense of radiation or an aura coming off of my body on and off throughout the day on most days. How do you know if it's a hot flash/peri stuff or an anxiety attack? I didn't feel actually "anxious" when it all occured.

Another situation, i scrub my face in the shower with a special cleaner that i use once a week or so. Three seperate times it caused me to become real hot and faint, one of the times I was real flushed when i got out of the shower.Keep in mind, i do this face washing a lot with no problem and not real hot water. I read showers can trigger flashes.

Another day I was doing light house work and felt so warm and i think possibly flushed that i had to stand in the open patio door in the middle of winter. I'm usually very cold and this hasn't really ever happened before, i don't think.

I am quiting birth control to see if i get more of the hallmark symptoms, (i've had a few mild or questionable ones).
I get many of the other symptoms that can be attributed to other things. I need to know so that i can be sure wheather it's Peri or depression/anxiety/digestive by themselves. I actually hope that i'm in peri and that it's natural and won't last forever.

Looking foreward to a full blown hot flash.
Ellgie - only almost 36 yrs. old though.

Ellgie,

I am 38 years old and some of what you experienced I have begun to experience .... getting hot in situations that you normally don't.

I to have had to step outside and cool off recently and I am in Canada so you know we have winter.

I normally wear flannel all winter long but this year I am in my summer pj's

As for the anxiety attack vs hot flash, that's a tuff one ... because I know with me, when I first started having hot flashes (don't get them too often), I didn't know what was going on, how to deal with it so I would panic and it led to the attacks.

I am sure this doesn't help much but I thought I would try!

Yes it does. How old are you? Are you new to hot flashes? When you start having hot flashes, it can be profoundly freaky! Welcome to this new phase in your life. You will make it.
When you feel a bit of an emotional dip, or faint, whoozie, feeling and you start to freak, just stop!!! Then tell yourself it is just a hot flash and let it pass. Breathe deep. Stay seated if needed, get out of get fresh air if needed. Try to stay positive.

I have been peri since I was 41. I will be 47 in May. So if you have questions. I promised God that I would be an encouragement to the generations behind me when they hit peri. Noone encouraged or prepared me and I want to help others!

How can you tell if it is a hot flash or panic attack? If they only happen away from home is it anxiety and panic? My friend only has them when she is away from home, she gets very hot, dizzy and nervous. She has never had a night sweat or hot flash when at home. She is 44 and has regular periods. Thanks