peripheral neuropathy and guitar playing

@arflmi33, I have had thumb pain on both hands at different times but I don't play any musical instruments. Mine is more related to degenerative arthritis and carpal tunnel along with a recent bout with trigger thumb.
I probably spend way too much time on the computer keyboard but also like to tinker with other fixit type projects that are hard on the hands.

Have you seen a hand specialist or had any X-rays to see if there is something going on in the hand or thumb joint?

I also spend way too much time on the keyboard. I have not seen any hand specialist or had xrays. I should mention that I also started a statin about 3 weeks ago and I am having PN flaring up in my calves and feet also. So maybe this has less to do with the guitar and more to do with statins. Today seems to be worse both in my calves and now in fingers on both hands. I also have Raynaud's so this is starting to feel pretty complicated. I just messaged my cardiology team about the statins though. I just got back a CT scan that shows I have no plaque in coronary, carotid, and aortic arch... so basically no plaque at all worth treating.

Hello,
So sorry about what you’re experiencing. Please note that currently the medical field is relooking at statins which they believe can cause peripheral neuropathy. My primary care physician told me to stop taking statins last year after having taken them for close to 30 years. You might want to look into this.
Take care and have a serene day,
gus

It could be the beginning of carpal tunnel syndrome.

I also play guitar and have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy in feet to knees. I've been told it can also begin in hands since they have peripheral nerve ends. My thumbs are very painful at times and they hand doctor took x rays to find some arthritis at the base joint by wrists and the next joint up from that. My left hand will bar cord but with some pain say 2/10.
I have difficulty holding the pick without pain and pretty difficult to double pick as in Pipeline song. I do hand stretches by spreadi.g fingers, thumb vibration therapy and use pain creams every night. There is evidence of nerve impingement up to the right pointer finger and please on the Left hand. I also message around the thumb base and palm, then vibrate until pain is reduced and tolerable. I often think of going to a hand specialist that works with musicians with hand issues thinking there must be such to help the old rockers continue to play professionally. Maybe Keith and Ron know something that works?? 🤔 I hope you can keep playing and do more research. Try getting an appointment with a hand specialist that will discuss on phone and has experience with musicians therapy and restorative methodologies. I am not a doctor but hope and pray 🙏 there is one in reality!

My situation is very similiar to yours except my issue is with both my thumbs, bottom tips. The discomfort is not constant though. Kinda feels itchy, numb sensation. It hasn't affected my playing skills... yet.