aching fingers

I did my third flute duet performance Wed. night--performing with my flute teacher at a local church dinner.  I was nervous, especially initially when I made some mistakes, but kept going.  She also sprung some additional duets on me that we practiced a few times before we performed.  Part of me wanted to say I couldn't do it, but I took the chance and did fine with the new pieces.  In fact I made fewer mistakes than with the other pieces, which had been practicing for weeks.  I know they say perfornance gets easier the more you do it, so I'm taking the opportunities my teacher is offering me--even though part of me would like to say no.

Recently my fingers have begun to ache more, including while playing the flute.  It's the latest potential setback--the first was my neck, which has been hurting since about March.  And my left jaw, which sometimes locks and won't open.  Yesterday I finally took some Aleve, because the pain was interfering with my playing.  But I really don't want to have to take painkillers every day.  So I'm going to start exploring options for coping with arthritis pain.  I made an appointment for an introductory Alexander Technique session next week, and am seeing a rheumatologist the week after.  I've been assuming that I have osteo- not rheumatoid arthritis, but I've decided it's worth seeing a specialist given how quickly I'm feeling pain in so many places fingers, wrist, knee, feet, neck, jaw).  Not to mention the 5ish pound weight loss.  And the nails that keep splitting no matter what I do or try.  I'm guessing she'll have me do a bunch of blood work, which means a second appointment since doing the blood work likely will require fasting.   Maybe I'll call ahead and see if I should fast.  (At my appointment a few months ago with my GP, who only works in the afternoon, they asked me if I had fasted.  Are they kidding?  I'm not sure I could make it until 9am, let alone 2pm without eating.)