I was Dx'd with PN, years after my symptoms first showed.
I had always been a bar & cabaret performer, and actor in community theater
After over 5 years of foot pain and mis-diagnosed by a brainless & stubborn HMO PCP, I started drinking alcohol (at about age 40, to self medicate for my pain. I had not been a drinker for most of my younger adult, and mid life times, but performing in bars, cabarets & such, I had not been a tea-toatler, either.
When I was finally Dx'd, the neuro looked no farther than my recent history and deduced 'alcoholic neuropathy' - a long standing Dx for PN, and an easy one to dismiss my cause. I know that the drinking made my PN more severe, but I also know, now - that the PN occurred waaay before but the AN stays on my records as cause. Look no farther.
I'm sure that it was a different cause, initially - but at least I finally got treament for any type of PN, instead of
'you're on your feet for so many hours and are in a stressful home life , stressful occupation & as a performer, anxiety & stress are a given - sure you are fatigued and your feet hurt - Epsom salts..... soak 'em".
Bah !! Phooey !! Blaaaatt!!.............. WRONG !