Mine started in the toes probably around 30 years ago (age 78 now) and gradually got up to just below the knees. My symptoms are just the numbness and some tingling once in awhile. The numbness is now back to just the above the ankles and in the feet. I shared my neuropathy journey in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/

One of the things that makes my legs feel better is to keep the skin hydrated by using a good moisturizing lotion on the feet and legs daily. I actually put the lotion on before going to bed and it has a calming effect for me. There are a couple of sites that I like for learning more about neuropathy which may help provides answers for you. An 80 year old neurologist was presenting at the Minnesota Neuropathy Association a few years back and gave me a few smiles when he said if you live long enough you will get neuropathy, nerve cells die as part of the aging process.

Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy - https://www.foundationforpn.org/
Neuropathy Commons - https://neuropathycommons.org/