NeuroTalk Support Groups - non-diagnosed SFN (non-diabetic)

Last summer I started having bilateral intermittent burning in both feet. Annoying but not painful as it turns out. I first went to my primary care physician who ruled out large-fiber neuropathy, and encouraged me to see a neurologist if the situation persisted in several months. The first neurologist I saw looked at my comprehensive blood work, did a clinical exam, and said it wasn't neuropathy. He didn't give a diagnosis and spent about 10 minutes. So I went to see a second neurologist (both are board-certified and both are at academic institutions).

The second neurologist also looked at the labs, did an exam, but was reluctant to call it neuropathy, although he did say burning feet align with small-fiber neuropathy. The second neurologist spent about 45 minutes so I do feel the exam and history was more comprehensive.

The caveat, he said, was that neuropathy isn't intermittent, and in the absence of numbness or weakness or tingling, on and off burning (and I'm not a diabetic or pre diabetic) didn't warrant a diagnosis nor further testing (he said nerve condition is not only a bit painful but would be unlikely to show anything).

I was a heavy drinker for 20 years and beyond that, I can't find anything else to attribute this to (which I told the second neurologist about). He said it could be, but very well may not be related to my drinking, but if I felt it was, that it best I stop (and I've been dry this entire calendar year).

I'm not sure what to make of it, and it's been with me for nearly 6 months off and on.

I'd like to hear from others either diagnoses with small fiber neuropathy or who have not been diagnosed with SFN but show demonstrable symptoms. Especially those with a history of alcohol use (or abuse, as may be the case;)