No advice, etc., from me this time. I'm just checking in to report that I'm developing a new problem.

Til now, my arthritic pain and stiffness has been concentrated in my four left-hand fingers (especially the pinky and index) and right pinky. Now I've begun to feel it in my left THUMB, and down into the heel of the hand, affecting my whole left-hand grip on the neck of the guitar. Not yet totally crippling ~ I can still play through the pain, which varies in intensity from negligible to very annoying. My main problem is worry over how much longer will it be until I won't be able to continue playing.