Degenerative Disc Disease?
 

This is my first time posting. I have a question that I am hoping to get answered: What exactly is Degenerative Disc Disease? I was diagnosed with spondylothethesis (1998), and also told I have Degenerative Disc Disease. I have now had 2 surgeries (lumbar, cervical fusions) in 1998 and 2011 (respectively). Some say it's a term used that describes the normal aging of the spine and discs...but I know it's not normal to have had 7 vertebrae fused together by the age of 57. The diagnosis has hurt me in getting any kind of assistance i.e. medicaid and social security disability since there is the assertion that this is all very "normal". I have had a history of chronic pain since I was 26 years old, and it finally caught up with me about 3 years ago, when I could no longer work due to pain, weakness and the inability to function on painkillers. I would appreciate some clarification on what the term "degenerative disc disease" really means and what prognosis I could expect from this point on. Thank you.