VTam, I used to subscribe to two classy magazines, 'Natural History' and 'Smithsonian.' Years ago, one of those two magazines had an article about a clinic which specializes in musicians. I clearly remember one doctor saying that 'the violin is an instrument designed to destroy the human right arm.'

So, what shape are your arms (and shoulders) in? How's your neck? Because it would be so sad for you to get better through medication and then get worse because of strain put on your body by a new instrument. Remember that you may have loved the vioiin as a teenager, but a teenager's ligaments are more flexible than an adult's.

So try it, but if things start to go wrong, be good to your body and quit. Then take up dulcimer. I play mountain dulcimer. (I put it on a table and stand to play it. I can also play sitting down if I wish.) I'm convinced it puts far less strain on the joints. It's also easier to learn and you can play fancier music (melody plus harmony) than on a violin or viola.