UPPER NYACK, N.Y., Updated 10:29 a.m. CDT October 4, 2000 -- Arthritis affects millions of people. For some, it is a minor annoyance, but for many others it is a chronic, crippling pain that is hard on teenagers.

Seth Ginsberg, 18, created a Web site, Creakyjoints.com, to help himself and other teens like him cope with the debilitating pain.

"When I wake up in the morning, my first question is, 'Am I well enough to walk to the bathroom?'" Ginsberg said.

He looks like a normal teenager, but for the past five years, Ginsberg has been living his life in pain. Ginsberg suffers from arthritis, which affects his hips, knees and spine.

"I'm helping other people who are like me because with arthritis, it's a very lonely and scary place, especially when you're a young adult or a young child," Ginsberg said.

His Web site takes a look at arthritis in an offbeat and irreverent way, such as advice on how to deal with emotional issues, not information on the latest treatments or research.

"It's a place where people can come that are any age but young at heart," Ginsberg said. "That they can read stories from other people in their situation who shed light on their problems and in turn make their life better."

Ginsberg is seeking sponsors to support his site, but his long-term goal has nothing to do with money.

"Most dot-coms go into business to make a million dollars, but Creakyjoints.com hopes to throw a going-out-of-business party when they find a cure for arthritis," Ginsberg said.