How can a person be diagnosed with Neuropathy if they are not Diabetic

I have developed neuropathy in my toes after chemo and do not have diabetes.

@geet69 okay thank you for your response. Only mine is in my ankle and foot. One day the pain will be in the Arch of my foot and the next day it'll be on the side of the ankle and the next the pain will be on the other side of the ankle and so on. Some days it feels like I'm going to break the ankle and the pressure from standing is so server it feels like I am learning how to walk again. I'm so unbalanced it's pathetic considering that I have trained most of my life in the arts that teaches us to be balanced. The doctor that I have seen gave me a walking boot to wear and it actually helps a whole lot. Unfortunately I can't afford to be seen in the ER every single time and because we here in California were able to choose our own insurance policy it still gave every Doctor the same choice either to except the insurance or not and since I am on Medi-Cal I still can not find a medical office who will except me as a new patient. Just about ready to give up and see what's on the other side.

Dino @dinosoke, There are many causes for neuropathy and even one when they can't pinpoint the exact cause of your neuropathy like mine - idiopathic small fiber PN. Here's more information from Mayo Clinic - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061.

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy also has a list of known causes and more if you care to learn more about neuropathy - https://www.foundationforpn.org/causes/.

"Neuropathy"... the term literally means some sort of problem with the nerves. Peripheral neuropathy indicates a problem in the peripheral nerves, the nerves that run throughout your body, sending and receiving messages from the brain via the spinal cord. Those two comprise the central or autonomic nervous system. Smash your finger with a hammer...that pain is a response through the peripheral nerves. Pinch a nerve in your back...that's an issue with your central(autonomic) nervous system.
Neurologists study your nerves by conducting tests. Usually performing an EMG, or electro myelogram. I don't quite what exactly keys them in to a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. I fell skiing hard 3on my back. That damaged a whole bunch of nerves, and, as a result, I have nerve pain today ten years later. I didn't really need an EMG to tell me that I had neuropathy. This thing can be a real bugger to treat. They tell me there is no cure, just a bunch surgical and non-surgical treatments. I wish you well and hope you have a blessed Christmas.

Diabetic neuropathy is simply the most common, and hence, the most talked about form of neuropathy.

My neuropathy was diagnosed as "idiopathic" after seeing 4 neurologists and them doing countless tests over an 8 year period. My GP told me that up to 40% of patients with this 'frickn disease never get a cause determined, hence the term idiopathic. I've been dealing with the pain, numbness, and burning for 10 years now.

I would like to thank each and every one of you who has taken the time to respond to my message. Each response has given me a little bit more of an understanding in regards to this. The one thing that I didn't hear anyone say was "Does the pain move a round to the point where you can not walk or in the morning when you first get out of bed your unable to start to walk without having to hold on to something?" I go through the burning and numbness and trying to explain that feeling to my friends is kinda hard. It's a feeling like no other.
So again thank you for your responses. Enjoy your day today and every day on Purpose...

@dinosoke

Diabetes may be the most common cause of PN but there are many others. Mine may be due to gluten intolerance--a sort of silent celiac disease. It also seems that the sensations people get are varied. I never had burning and most times I do not notice the neuropathy in my feet. Holding on to something might mean a balance issue for you and there are plenty of exercises to try to get balance back--a challenge as we age. Feet exercises that are designed to promote good alignment can help with balance. Wishing you well.

If you are pre-diabetic it can result in neuropthy. I have both diabetic neuropathy in my left chest and peripheral neuropathy in my lower legs.

No. Any loss of sensation or feeling in any part of the body for whatever reason, pinch nerve is the main thing, is considered neuropathy. I have severe back issues and will get neuropathy in my thighs if I stand too long in one place. I also have a pinched nerve in my neck that leads that numbness across my left shoulder. I'm receiving chemotherapy and neuropathy comes with that too but it's hard to discern which because I had neuropathy before I started chemo.