How WONDERFUL of you to be looking out for your mom like this!
When it comes to PN, answers can sure be hard to come by.......my heart SO goes out to her (and the rest of your family)....

You ask some VERY good questions! The Peripheral Neuropathy forum is very active and FULL of very knowledged folks who will be glad to give you their all...
Here's a shortcut link to get you to that forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...sprune=75&f=20

I'm about 10 years behind your mom (agewise), but have struggled with this madness for 6 years. Oddly, I got a hyster within approx 6 months of my symptoms setting in also! It started out as horrible knee pain (both) and subsequently consumed both legs and robbed me of the better part of my 40's ....
It might be very difficult to get a Dr to pin it on the surgery.....she's probably already been told that her hormones probably went out of whack and the whole bit, right?

All I can offer you at this point is my complete empathy to her situation and to say that reading up on the info section (at the top of the PN forum) will certainly be of great benefit....
You've found a great place for the support you need.....and even if your mom isn't too crazy about the computer (can't blame her ).....you could probably print out some of the important information and health tips. I know that many people put in alot of time and effort to bring us this very valuable information and it may save you alot of hassle of going to the dead-end Dr's looking for answers. You'll eventually find the right one for her, but at least getting a good grip on what PN is all about may help you in knowing which Dr's to avoid.

I wish you my best....
Rae