Cold water shock on holiday

facingmumsfuture · 2025-06-30T18:25:33+00:00

Hi everyone. I love swimming in the sea whilst on holiday. I was away 2 weeks ago and for first time ever started to hyperventilate when I went in the pool and sea for first time each day. Body shaking and struggling to control breathing. I've never had this before and the water I'm both wasn't that cold. I tried to gradually immerse myself, splashing face and body etc but nothing stopped it I'm baffled as to why it's suddenly started! Does anyone else get this and any tips to cope?

Thelondonone · 30/06/2025 19:32

Greater temperature difference? How hot was it outside the water?

Original poster

facingmumsfuture · 30/06/2025 19:34

About 29 degrees.

I've not had it when in.much hotter places, strange to experience it now at this age for first time.

OP posts:

Mudflaps · 30/06/2025 19:45

What age are you? I first experienced it when I was in my mid 40's, realised much later it was part of peri menopause for me. I genuinely thought there was something seriously wrong because I was surrounded by a group of older folk on their daily dip (fantastic group who are all members of a retirement club) and they were fine, it was mid 30's and I was shivering, teeth chattering and nails turning blue,struggling to stand while everyone else was lying back enjoying the water, sun and heat (near the mud baths in San Pedro, Murcia, you'll float without any effort). Took going home and getting into bed with hot tea before I felt right, I'd been there daily with no ill effects for weeks before this. After that day I struggled with regulating my body temperature until I started HRT.

Original poster

facingmumsfuture · 30/06/2025 20:03

Mudflaps · 30/06/2025 19:45

What age are you? I first experienced it when I was in my mid 40's, realised much later it was part of peri menopause for me. I genuinely thought there was something seriously wrong because I was surrounded by a group of older folk on their daily dip (fantastic group who are all members of a retirement club) and they were fine, it was mid 30's and I was shivering, teeth chattering and nails turning blue,struggling to stand while everyone else was lying back enjoying the water, sun and heat (near the mud baths in San Pedro, Murcia, you'll float without any effort). Took going home and getting into bed with hot tea before I felt right, I'd been there daily with no ill effects for weeks before this. After that day I struggled with regulating my body temperature until I started HRT.

Thanks mudflaps.
I'm early 50s and post menopausal. It didn't happen through it, this was the first.
I love swimming but this really affected it. It took about 15 minutes to control my breathing before i could start actually start to swim, even in the pool. I was OK after I got out.

OP posts:

Hellohelga · 30/06/2025 20:37

Heat stroke?

DoItLikeAWoman · 01/07/2025 08:45

I had this at Greece where it was too warm outdoors and i went into the ‘cooler’ indoor pool. Felt like I had been seized by a cold demon who was squeezing my lungs. Struggled through it and swam couple of lengths but stopped and didn’t go back!