Hot flush or more sinister?

[RulaCabula]

In supermarket this morning. Suddenly had a really strange SEVERE overwhelming feeling, my head was swimming and felt totally panicked - strong urge to just get out of the shop. Had to grip the trolley for dear life. It only lasted a few seconds before passing but then I could feel a bad hot flush starting. This was about an hour ago and still feel v hot and icky.
I'm 48, still regular periods, midcycle atm.
Does this sound like menopause?

If you feel hot and icky maybe take your temperature, you could be coming down with something.
At age 48 you will likely be peri menopausal anyway. We don’t even do FSH menopause blood tests over the age of 45 as it’s pretty much a given.
I’ve never had a hot flush last more than a few minutes. Google says the average hot flush lasts around 4 minutes so if you’re still hot and icky an hour later it’s likely something else but I wouldn’t say that it’s anything sinister.

Ages since I've been on here, but now with a 13yo and 14yo, I wanted to come and find discussions about just this. So glad I found a recent chat. I realised I've been in perimenopause for a while. I put a lot of it – anxiety and insomnia especially – down to grief when I lost my Mum 3 years ago, but the last couple of days I've been having hot flashes and BOY are they strong/weird.

RubaCabula – the reason I replied was your experience is very similar to mine. I'm 47 but I've been on the mini pill since my youngest was born (which has been amazing, almost no periods all that time!).

Today has been AWFUL. Probably 12-15 flashes times since about 10am this morning. Each time, it starts with a severe sense of anxiety/dread (like I'm going to pass out, or just die), then nausea, then bottom half of body/legs go numb and weak… and THEN the heat, followed by the sweat. By which point I'm sitting/lying down wherever I am, trying to control my breath (gladly I have been at home all day). Then a couple of minutes later, chills. At that point, I took my temperature to check it's not an actual fever. Nope. Poor DD has been running back and forth to bring my ice packs.

Can't live like this for long – I wouldn't feel safe to be in public, let alone drive! I really feel like I'm going to pass out. Will make HRT appt in the New Year, but I'd love to hear if this is what you're going through as well, and anyone else.

Meanwhile, ladies: A very Peri Christmas and a Happier New Year! x

PS. It's been so long since I was on here, I had to create a new account as I can't remember login. Is that brain fog!? :)