your description of how COLD feet feel! That is a 'keeper' in my book.
As for the dry skin? Please explore this web site about diabetes and the skin....while many of us do not have diabetes as a culprit, a lot of the mechanisms of our complicated bodies are very similar in terms of what happens.
It is worth reading the abstract and the introduction, then skipping over to the diabetic neuropathy section. It is also fairly readable compared to many sites.
http://telemedicine.org/stamford.htm
All in all, I've always read it all to to mean to slather/moisturize those feet [maybe other parts] generously and keep an eye out for the possible nasties that can happen when one cannot FEEL what's going on down there [I mean, look at all Melody's Alan has had to go through for that very reason].
As for where to go from here? I have no new suggestions for you other than what I and others have provided. I truly wish I did!
I agree with Liza Jane about one thing? Quitting your job? Why, because of INSURANCE coverage - is why! Should you have to leave...be sure to get COBRA or the like! Continued coverage of some sort is critical should things get squirrelley down the road...New coverage would exlude such 'pre-existing' conditions and then you would be up the creek w/o any paddle. COBRA and continued coverage out of work are very expensive, but that continuance assures that you can ultimately be treated should they find a diagnosis.
And from what you have elaborated about.
IF it were ME? I might gently ask my internist friends for advice about which steps to take about now? IF the neuro structure is SOO tight there, maybe go the Rheumatologist route? Sort of a back-door approach, but an idea.
YOU have to follow your instincts on this, and obviously they are on a red-alert type of alarm. While it may take you months to get any appointments? Do it now and keep the 'replay' going on in your mind about possible causes.
For me, my troubles arose about 2+ months after finally winning a long fight with a 2 month bout of pneumonia... Every strange and little 'thing' from 'before' can and does impact our neuropathies. We are not hot-house flowers.
I can't speak for all, but the whole issue of mis-diagnosis or laziness about persuing additional testing to the best levels is too often absent among folks new here. To me, like you,
IDEOPATHIC is pretty much a VERY BAD word? Many call it 'IDIOT-pathic'. Apt I believe.
Please get appts and see what happens! I mean? It can only get worse?
's - j