I don't know why I put the ? because I'm pretty sure I have arthritis - my mother and grandmother both had it and my sister is starting to get similar symptoms. For the last five winters or so I've suffered mild intermittent pain in my hands. Last winter it hardly bothered me at all (I thought perhaps because it was the first year in some time that I'd not been pushing a pushchair) but this year it's rather worse. Right hand is more affected overall thumb joint has generally been the worst affected, this year it's affecting my grip and I've also had several episodes of carpal tunnel (only had that when pregnant before). On the left I've had a few episodes recently of "stop you in your tracks" pain when I've moved my wrist the wrong way and sometimes had trouble using a hairbrush on that side (again due to wrist pain). Is this at a stage where it would be worth seeing a doctor do you think?