F.Y.I. Throwing this out there - maybe it'll help a 'new' arthritis sufferer.
I went to the first doctor (who was new to me) after my hands were hurting terribly for 2 weeks... thinking it may be arthritis. He says "Oh it's arthritis - take some cosamin 4 times a day (at $35 a bottle of 60) - takes about 4-6 weeks to kick in and work - see me in 8 weeks if it doesn't improve".
Two weeks later I see my 'old' doctor cause I can't stand the pain...he manipulates my spine and the pain in my hands is gone by the time I'm walking out of the office. I stopped taking the cosamin.
TRUTH!