Starting playing about 2 years ago (in my late thirties) and recently started experiencing painful, swollen joints in my fretting hand open C chord being the worst. Whilst I have no suggestions as to what may or may not work, I shall try a combination of the recommendations, I can truly say that some of the comments from those above are very inspiring and brought a lump to my throat. Nice to know that 5 years on from the start of this thread that guitarists all over the world, suffering or not, still have the passion and desire to keep playing and support each other. Rock on (or blues or jazz or whatever) brothers and sisters, rock on !