Hi Paul, I've probably told you this before, but mine crept up slowly with numbness in both toes (right toe was numb for years due to back issues). Life was pretty typical when I started noticing it. I do think your idea of chronic stress has merit, I've always been anxious and definitely noticed an uptick in symptoms with stress. For me in the last few months even slightly strenuous activity definitely makes things worse, it was cycling or lifting a little weight, now its standing too long!