can't update my playlist on ipod touch.

it seems like with each update that comes through I experience more and more problems with my ipod touch. After the last software update, I can't seem to update any of my playlists on itunes. itunes will either freeze up when I try to update things, or won't update my ipod. I've also noticed that playlists that appear on itunes that are supposed to be on my ipod don't appear on my actual ipod. I prefer to manually make changes to my ipod rather than doing the synch and never had any problems with that until now. what can I do to fix the problem.....it hasn't even been a year since I purchased this and can't believe that apple would put out a product that would start having problems so soon.