Menopause hell two years after periods stop?

[cheval]

Last three weeks have been sent almost mad by terrible night sweats, uncontrollable shivering, horrible muscle pains, no appetite, exhaustion, very tearful. I am a bundle of fun! Thought maybe a weird virus.
But then it occurred to me this could be menopause coming to bite me on the bum. Haven't had a period for ages. Thought I'd got away with it scott free. GP couldn't see me today. Will have to try again Monday.
But has anyone else experienced such a slow burn into menopause, if this is what I've got. I'm 55, btw. Possibly older than the average mumsnet user. But here's hoping someone out there can empathise!

I'm older than you and am here :)
What you have experienced is 'normal'. Some of us only have meno symptoms after our periods have stopped when oestrogen levels fall further.
I started on HRT at almost 54, having thought I'd escaped meno because I didn't have any other problems, my periods just got lighter, I missed a few and that was (almost) that. But it was after my last one around 53-54 that the symptoms really started.

Suggest you try HRT if there are no reasons why you can't.

Thank you pinkfrocks. Glad to know I'm not alone on here as a woman of a certain age!