Hi qtipsq, I feel your frustration but I encourage you to not give up hope. A year and a half ago I had a successful corporate career, running a department and also taught martial arts - now I can't do basic math in my head. It is really hard to keep going. I have thought the same thing -- all this work in my life for what? I am young as well and feel like a senior now.

Regarding the neck brace, my concern is that your muscles will atrophy. My neck hurts everyday but I still do my stretches, see my chiropractor and now have physio (finally). I am keeping up with treating my neck. For long car trips, I do bring a nice memory foam travel neck pillow/rest and use it for a little while on and off if I feel fatigued (only as a passenger). If I feel sleepy on a car trip I put it on so my head doesn't tip suddenly and wrench my neck.

I hope this has been helpful to you. I want you to know that there are others sharing your pain day to day and that there are great people on this forum who can help support you -- and help you to be hopeful. I wish you all the best.