I don't know what terms they've slung at you, but many/most of us have (heard the term) Degenerative Disc Disease. Degenerative means (among other things) that it's not going to get any better, so as Ginnie says, we know what it's like - the pain, the frustration, the discouragement - we're on the same journey. About the best we can do, surgery notwithstanding, is try to slow the progression however we can, share our experiences/learning (and pain) and get by one day at a time.

Ironically, one secondary effect of chronic pain seems to be developing big shoulders...

Doc