I'm 36 and have been playing since I was about 9. I've been having problems for a couple of years but just kinda was a weekness in my grip and a cramp in my palm near my wrist.. then whamo, about a year or so ago I was going nutz playing "Classical Gas" and all the sudden my entire hand felt like 1000 bee stings and stayed that way for several months... I opted outta surgery because after talking to several people (guitar players) that once you get the surgery you might as well hang up ever playing again.... I think the same thing happened to Willie Nelson some time ago (side note, I always thought it was cool how he strummed a classical). From what I understand, he got surgury and still hasn't really recovered.