I'm really having a hard time playing lately. Both my thumb joints are killing me as I play and after about 30 min I have to stop and take a break. My Chet playing can only go for about a minute. A MINUTE! I've never had this problem near this bad before in my life. Very depressing 
 
I just downloaded Krita to take my mind off of it. I can't play for a while 

Bill, 
 
I have Arthritis of the Base of the Thumb on my left hand (neck playing hand). It would hurt most when applying pressure to the neck, which was most of the time when playing.  I thought is was Carpal Tunnel from computing for the past 30+ years, but it was not. I finally went to an Orthopedic Specialist and he determined it was Arthritis. He gave me a cortisone injection at the problem area. It improved and was feeling great until I had to do repeated snow shovels and the angle I had to hold my hand aggravated the area. But the injection still was an improvement. I still experience throbbing once in while, but it is manageable. This was a quick option to try as opposed to surgical methods or even splints. Can't play much with splints. You might have good luck with an injection. I'll probably go back for a followup injection eventually. Just a thought.

Injections are a short term fix. i thought that my first injection really helped but then i noticed that i was compensating for the arthritis, such as opening a soda bottle with the base of my thumb instead of the tip of it. Lot of those kind of adaptations. Anyway my Ortho Surg explained the surgery, said the prognosis was good for full use, and that recovery was 3-4 months. I will have it in the fall,after bicycle season is over. I believe that is the only real solution. Good luck!

Have you tried taking a strong, good quality curcumin supplement? Like this one:
 
https://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-Curcumin-Turmeric-BioPerine/dp/B000BD0RQS
 
Loads of people have had great results in managing their arthritis with curcumin. Worth a try if you haven't already. 

Bayou,
 
Hey brother, my 2 cents for whatever you may consider it to be worth.
 
Arthritis stuff has more subdivisions than we can keep track of, but going up to the parent directory, it all falls into 2 categories. Rheumatoid style that is an autoimmune cluster fork, and the osteo branch which is just old age wear and tear. Newborn baby damages the joint with the first movement, but the body goes in and repairs. You get to my age and damage is still happening, but the repair is slower than the erosion and we break down. Realize that the pain in an affected joint or joints from osteo stuff is like the canary in a coal mine thing. Thumbs falling apart, but a harbinger of what is happening in hips, knees, spine. They just don't hurt yet but are on the verge of a painful breakdown.
 
Assuming you got the old age thing unless your doc said otherwise. Sounds like it is just in your thumbs and your other fingers are not warped out of shape.
 
You got to get yourself started on dog medicine immediately.
 
Realize that we got an incredible arsenal of agents and biologics to combat either condition. Hi end chemicals available if your med insurance or credit card can support. Most we can do is slow the terminal point from the traditional approved approach. Some treatments even hasten the deterioration while giving some pain relief.
 
Joke on the system for the osteoarthritic condition, is that the over the counter vet glucosamine and chondroiten mix not only relieves pain, but sends the joints back to a more young function if you still got viable cartilage pads in the joint. Takes awhile, like in a couple months for things to kick in, but the increased flexibility, pain reduction is because the joint cartilage interface is repairing, keeping bone on bone pain from happening. If you need dosing and timeframes, let me know. We can get you fixed for a few more years until ultimately time for you to move on to bigger and better things.
 
John
 
edited because I can't spell nothing right...

Interesting analysis but you are missing something in the nature of diet itself
You quote the Essene texts but fail to mention that Christ said if you rely upon cadavers as your food source your bones will be turned to chalk  Arthritis is just one ramification of a diet far removed from light of the sun Over the counter dietary supplements can only be of so much value if the root cause of the problem is not addressed
Your advice on fasting is correct

Hey Miss Divine Light,
 
You are yes right and on the higher moral ground of all this. I am aware of the dietary injunctions, but elected not to twist arms.
There is clash and collision between an ideal and the real world. You get several decades of habits under the belt and it is quite hard to change. You cannot turn on a switch. A corpse eater cannot change overnight without serious health hazards even if there is the will to evolve. There has to be also a flaming moral purpose to rebirth from the inertia that could sustain the painful effort. Not to mention fasting. Usually a humanoid needs a sentinel health crisis to do something radical, and too often, the warning comes in too late.
From what I can see from your posts, you are doing a good thing. My advice, just be gentle. Guide them in a progressive way.
 
John
 

The pain is at the base of both thumbs. I have my 1st Medicare appointment tomorrow to specifically address this issue. 
 THANKS everyone for the input!!!
 
Sharke -  I have been using GNC Triflex. I'll check it out
It's very frustrating because I can't really practice or record in this condition. 

I have tumeric root powder which I periodically mix in with my drinks. I didn't know it was an anti- arthritic agent when I began to use it. I use it mainly to attempt to strengthen my immune system.
 
I don't take anything every day, except a small dose baby aspirin. Too much of anything isn't good for you.  

Jyotishvarii
... if you rely upon cadavers as your food source your bones will be turned to chalk 

Bill, I didn't know that you're a cannibal (or possibly a zombie?).
 
I recall hearing somewhere (probably the X-Files) that cannibalism relieves arthritis pain.