I'm not convinced it is autoimmunity, but you never know. Sometimes it seems a lot of exercise can trigger the nerves to go crazy in some part of the body, then it spreads, gets worse, can't get better etc. After a while I developed central sensitisation, which is what happens to a lot of chronic pain sufferers and you get pain in remote and unrelated places. Hey I hope they find it is an autoimmune disease, they are better treated than other neuropathies generally. My friend in work is in remission from her RA and she has a great life on the right medication, or drug regime. People stay in RA remission for 20 years or more on drugs sometimes. It's about where you draw the line with medication, the extreme viewpoints aren't usually sensible.