Many thanks for the additional info @jeffrapp ! I have only seen my new doctor once, but the intake to his clinic (conducted by a resident?) took a full hour. I couldn't believe how thorough they were! Upon getting the results of my blood tests, they called TWICE to request that I come back into the clinic to discuss blood test results (upward creeping cholesterol was the only thing out of range). I will chat with the doctor about any concerns he may have about statins impacting SFN, and am sure that he and I will build a good, solid relationship over time.

But - I think it's also time to step out of denial and conclude it's time to start making a serious effort to shed the pounds I put on when I quit smoking last year. And if I was completely honest - I was 20 pounds overweight even before that, so I'm packing around an extra 40 pounds and live the life of a slug (partially because of the pain in my feet), and - I eat more junk food than I should. It's time to make some changes to improve my own health - even if statins (which I've been nervous about for years) are part of that recipe...