Hi Ray - I tend to listen carefully when I go to a doctor, and you'll notice they use words used like .... perhaps, it could be, there is a slight reason to believe, might be and so on. Unless they have scientific proof, data like a written report, IF they say anything, it is more speculation. The good old raising of the eyebrow is another one of those hmmm....perhaps. My gut feeling is that many meds we are prescribed throughout our life might cause a lot of the idiopathic cases. PN can show up years after taking a med. Damage to nerves is not necessarily immediate which would account for the many idiopathic cases. Doctors are afraid to say this med is the cause of your PN. After all, they can't without proof. Heavy drinking? Perhaps and perhaps not. I think it is a coin flipper. After all, there are over 100 other causes and factors that can cause PN. Have a good day and keep moving. Ed