Hot flashes & passing out?

[Kristie]

Can women get hot flashes that heat up so quickly that it makes you feel like your gonna pass out?

is that common or uncommon? i've had 2 occurrences of that happening in the past month or two (both while on an airplane) and i don't know why.

The first time, I was on a redeye flight, had a bloody mary (an open drink) and thought maybe the guy next to me put something in my drink (he was not the loveliest of sorts) to make me heat up so quickly that i started sweating, weirding out/eyes losing sight, nearly threw up and practically passed out "sitting down" before i moved my seat mates out of the way (i was in a window seat) so i could get a drink of anything and just stand for a while and try to figure out the problem...this time, i was in the lav (after lunch) and heat just swept up from inside out in literally seconds (engulfing even my legs, head, everything, massive sweating) and i nearly passed out again.

so, is this a sign that something's wrong (maybe upper/lower GI?) or is this what we should be expecting as we age or is it a sign of kidney something? There's no pain associated, just heat!

I'm not quite sure what to make of it since it's not happening all the time but i get the feeling that something's probably not right, just that i can't really go into a doctor unless it's occurring more often or at the time, cuz otherwise what can they really do based on 2 occurrences of symptoms alone?

[SeatClutcher]

Scary, Kristie! I wonder what it is.

[czechmate]

Originally Posted by Kristie

Can women get hot flashes that heat up so quickly that it makes you feel like your gonna pass out?

is that common or uncommon? i've had 2 occurrences of that happening in the past month or two (both while on an airplane) and i don't know why.

The first time, I was on a redeye flight, had a bloody mary (an open drink) and thought maybe the guy next to me put something in my drink (he was not the loveliest of sorts) to make me heat up so quickly that i started sweating, weirding out/eyes losing sight, nearly threw up and practically passed out "sitting down" before i moved my seat mates out of the way (i was in a window seat) so i could get a drink of anything and just stand for a while and try to figure out the problem...this time, i was in the lav (after lunch) and heat just swept up from inside out in literally seconds (engulfing even my legs, head, everything, massive sweating) and i nearly passed out again.

so, is this a sign that something's wrong (maybe upper/lower GI?) or is this what we should be expecting as we age or is it a sign of kidney something? There's no pain associated, just heat!

I'm not quite sure what to make of it since it's not happening all the time but i get the feeling that something's probably not right, just that i can't really go into a doctor unless it's occurring more often or at the time, cuz otherwise what can they really do based on 2 occurrences of symptoms alone?

OMG!!! I had the same thing happen to me last night at the grocery!!!! I went from normal to about 110* and almost passed out. I asked my Mom if this was the start of menopause and she said maybe.
Let me know what you find out. It's embarrassing and scarey!!!!

Jen

[Dana]

Originally Posted by Kristie

Can women get hot flashes that heat up so quickly that it makes you feel like your gonna pass out?

is that common or uncommon? i've had 2 occurrences of that happening in the past month or two (both while on an airplane) and i don't know why.

The first time, I was on a redeye flight, had a bloody mary (an open drink) and thought maybe the guy next to me put something in my drink (he was not the loveliest of sorts) to make me heat up so quickly that i started sweating, weirding out/eyes losing sight, nearly threw up and practically passed out "sitting down" before i moved my seat mates out of the way (i was in a window seat) so i could get a drink of anything and just stand for a while and try to figure out the problem...this time, i was in the lav (after lunch) and heat just swept up from inside out in literally seconds (engulfing even my legs, head, everything, massive sweating) and i nearly passed out again.

so, is this a sign that something's wrong (maybe upper/lower GI?) or is this what we should be expecting as we age or is it a sign of kidney something? There's no pain associated, just heat!

I'm not quite sure what to make of it since it's not happening all the time but i get the feeling that somethings probably not right, just that i can't really go into a doctor unless it's occurring more often or at the time, cuz otherwise what can they really do based on 2 occurrences of symptoms alone?

You are kinda young for the hot flash thing, but with that being said, anything is possible. More likely, you were not well hydrated to start with, your at 30,000+ feet and had a drink. It is interesting that both episodes happened while in flight, correct?

Make sure you are well hydrated the day before you fly. If it persists you need to get it checked out. Was your heart beating fast/slow? Did you feel sick or just hot?

[Kristie]

fast and both, sick and hot.

I'll check the hydration on my next flight and see if i have anymore weirdness going on.

[Chi829]

Sounds soooo much like a panic attack!

[friend7]

I have had anxiety attacks plenty of times and this sure sounds like one to me. You might have been anxious about getting on the flight and then having a window seat and stuck,not being able to easily get out of your seat w/out waking someone. I also love to have my drinks too but this sometimes iritates the situation for me,especially salty drinks!

[Kristie]

hmmm never thought about an anxiety attack. Is it possible to have one well after the anxiety happens? i mean sometimes i get a bit nervous about getting on the flight... not so much flying but possibly getting stuck. I did use an S2 out of Ghana and there were a ton of non-revs, so it was a bit of a close call but even so, it can be a bit nerve wracking waiting to board the flight when in a different country (esp when you KNOW hubby's going home but you could end up stranded). But it was at least 2 hrs after takeoff that it occured (after they served lunch).

I just can't explain the other scenario when i was in the window seat on the redeye...at the time it started happening, i was snoozing (maybe i was dreaming and i weirded out...i have no idea).

I just kinda want to figure out how to prevent any from happening again cuz it's just scary.

[SeatClutcher]

Originally Posted by Kristie

hmmm never thought about an anxiety attack. Is it possible to have one well after the anxiety happens? i mean sometimes i get a bit nervous about getting on the flight... not so much flying but possibly getting stuck. I did use an S2 out of Ghana and there were a ton of non-revs, so it was a bit of a close call but even so, it can be a bit nerve wracking waiting to board the flight when in a different country (esp when you KNOW hubby's going home but you could end up stranded). But it was at least 2 hrs after takeoff that it occured (after they served lunch).

I just can't explain the other scenario when i was in the window seat on the redeye...at the time it started happening, i was snoozing (maybe i was dreaming and i weirded out...i have no idea).

I just kinda want to figure out how to prevent any from happening again cuz it's just scary.

I have a similar question about anxiety attacks - I've had quite a few, but I've never known them to not be directly accompanied by palpable anxiety.

Frightening thought that one of those spells (oy, the use of the word "spells!") might happen while you're driving, or something.

[Chi829]

Yeah,,, I absoltely beleive this is panic/anxiety attacks. The crazy thing is, they occur in different levels of severity and can happen before or after the anxious moment has already passed. How long did the episode last? What did u do to make yourself feel better? The symptoms u listed are all very similar if not the same to an anxiety attack. Mine seem to be triggered by fatigue and dehydration and flying (traveling) causes both! So, I am always edgy when I fly, but only when I fly alone.....Ask your Dr. About it (especially if it happens again) my guess is that its anxiety,,,,sometimes an anxiety attack can come out of the clear blue for no reaon and without warning,,,, just like BAM! hits ya in the face or something.. good thing is, they (for me) dont last long, especially if I can lay down or close my eyes and use imagery or something... If its REALLY bad (which ahs only been a few times) you can have your doc prescribe soemthing to take the edge off,, usually a xanax or klonopin or something similar (the few times that I have taken this,,, I ONLY take half) Im really sensitive to meds,, and generally it just relaxes you and or makes you sleepy.