I'm also a die hard supporter of the Glucosamine Chondroitin. Have been taking it for years since the doc took one look at the burning knots developing on my knuckles and pronounced "yup, you have arthritis"... I can tell when I miss taking it for a length of time. For me it does work at keeping the burning pain at bay and slowing down the progression.
This past year I am also teaching myself to machine quilt on a long arm as my hands just freeze up & are really painful to where I can't sleep when I hand quilt for periods of time anymore..
My Mom has given me quite a variety of ointments, including DSM over the years as they work for her & hers is considerably more advanced than mine.