First, go to an orthopedic doc, not your general practice doc. Get xrays, especially a standing xray if it's in your knees or ankles. My doc started me on Relafen (sp?) and physical therapy- The pills take the edge off the pain and the therapy will (hopefully) help strenghten the muscles around my joints. Good luck!
I haven't tried it myself yet, only because I HATE taking pills, but have heard a few success stories about Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Another thing you can do is start physical therapy. Strengthening the muscles and tendons around the joints helps to slow the degenerative changes.