Tommy,

Sorry, I'm not a veteran, but I'll try to answer some of your questions as best I can....

1. Idiopathic means "arising spontaneously or from an obscure or unknown cause" regardless of test results. Sometimes tests can reveal/suggest a cause; other times, there are just results/abnormalities that can leave doctors scratching their heads. This doesn't mean that there is no cause; it just means that the cause is not yet known. Diagnoses can change as more information/knowledge is learned.

2. Some of the supplements are indeed working for me (and others) to different degrees. My burning pain is gone except when I really overdo things. My pins & needles, shocks, and needle jabs pains are ~90% better. My numbness remains, but I believe there has been some improvement; it no longer feels like I'm walking on bunched up tissue under my toes.

I buy quality supplements from labels I recognize and that have been recommended here. I don't know about USP verification (mrsD may), but I know I'm getting what I pay for by both my test results and "how I feel" results.

3. I have taken several different antidepressants in the past, short-term. There was a gap of several years between then and my PN beginning, and I have no evidence of their being a cause. Many antidepressants are used in the treatment of PN pain.

Google: peripheral neuropathy antidepressants

MrsD has a thread on Medications That May Cause Peripheral Neuropathy

4. No idea.

5. Blurred vision has been reported as a side effect of gabapentin (as has diarrhea, FWIW). For many/most people, the side effects fade/resolve within a few weeks. Some (e.g. drowsiness, weight gain) may take longer or continue.

Google: gabapentin side effects

Blurred vision may also be associated with peripheral neuropathy.
http://neuropathy.me/Peripheral%20Neuropathy.htm

Hope this is some help.

Doc