Hi Claudette!

Playing guitar is much like working out. Even aggressive practice should bring at most just simple fatigue.

Your symptoms are not typical for a beginning guitarist. It is most likely that your pain is due to something other than the guitar practice. Playing guitar might aggrevate the symptoms however.

If you are not fond of doctors and have not seen one in a decade and you are actually considering a visit, that tells me you are seriously concerned about your ailment and should find a doctor. You may consider one who specializes in or has experience with sports injuries and arthritis.

I wish you well.