Damn Kendall. I'm at the office and made a rather loud and raucous sound upon reading your post. I am glad you are feeling better but give us a warning - OK?

Moonchild,
I'll join in the chorus - see a doctor. If it's bursitis he (or she) may recommend cortisone or platinum injections. Cortisone taken over a long period of time can cause dementia. There are examples all around us ...

Consider stress as a possible cause for the problem. Not "my hand hurts so I don't have to perform" psycho-babble. But if you are tense, you may be putting stress on your wrist even while playing an instrument and causing an irritation.

Hope you feel better.
SS

Also - thanks for the spider bite mention. I get horrible reactions to simple house spider bites. Once I was even diagnosed with terminal cancer only to find out it was a simple allergic reaction to a spider bite.My friends laugh at me but in summer it's a constant problem.