Hot Flash Symptoms without the Hot

I am 46 and experiencing symptoms of hot flashes, except I'm not hot. The feeling starts at my waist or at my neck and spreads through the upper half of my body. It's a sensation - something like a little bit of a tingle but that's not really exactly it. I have a dry mouth and it's hard to catch my breath while it's happening. It's the same on both sides of the body. I sometimes have the feeling of suffocation before it happens. I often have to go to the bathroom afterwards, too. There's a little light headedness, sometimes dizzinness. I've done a little reading and it seems like a hot flash, but I do not feel hot. I sometimes feel chilled afterwards, but not hot during it. I have been awakened with them. Today I'm having them one after the other, it seems. Is this just my own version of a hot flash or are these symptoms of something else? Thanks.

[pt61]

I forgot to say - this tends to happen more before or during my period.

[carbaholic]

When I have an anxiety/panic attack it feels very similar.  You will want to check with your doctor to be sure though.

[tune]

I too have has this experience and it is anxiety and panic attacks. I would wake up in the middle of the night all sweaty, get nauseau and have diarrhea, racing heart, etc.   On anti anxiety meds and have not had any since.

[skyhag]

I have had all these symptoms...and then some!  I am 53 years old and about a year ago I started having these sensations (as described here) like dropping off the hill of a roller coaster.  Sometimes, I feel the heat like a flash...other times, I do not.  My head feels tight and I am really fatigued.  Can anyone recommend an anxiety med that would help relieve these symptoms?  I have been under stress for the past months, but wouldn't guess that it is more than I can handle. Who knows?  Thanks for letting me join in on the "hen party".  I'll stay in touch and I'll post if I find answers

[Rosababy]

You are the first person to describe the "attack" as I have experienced it, that is, like the drop off the hill of a roller coaster.  I would have that, with some fatigue and need to got to the bathroom, at times when I am not actually that stressed, like in line at a store counter!  I would think I need to lie down, am having a heart attack or asthma attack, and use the inhaler and get even more shaky.  I'm not sure I even have asthma, but doctors think if you can't breathe, you need asthma treatment.  I am 44 and had a surgical menopause almost 14 years ago, and have had these weird symptoms that I suspect are hormone related but no doctor ever warned me about this when I was 31 and having my ovaries out!  I take a low dose bi-estrogen but am in a stressful teaching job and must be low on something, I have suffered a lot over the last years!  But I see that I am not alone and if we women didn't talk to each other we'd all be on drugs for mental problems!  Thanks for sharing.