Hi,
I’m new to this site but have read through it and it’s helped me get a better understanding of many things. I hope that I’ll be able to find some answers from people who have similar stories like mine here. I’m 23 years old and just found out that I have DDD. I’ve been extremely active my whole life. I raced motocross for years, ride downhill mountain bikes, play all sports, and just love to be active and enjoy life. I have had low back pain for quite awhile now and just thought it was from my activities and was completely normal. I am a personal trainer and have been for about 2 years. One day (just last week) while working out I lifted something for a client and had a killer pain in my lower back. After that my mom talked me into going to get an MRI. That’s when I found out I had DDD and 2 herniated disks and one bulging disk. My doc who took the MRI is actually a neighbor and a close family friend and he told me I was quite young to have these back problems. I’m confused with how serious this actually is and have a lot of questions. I go back to see him and to get a shot in my back in two days. But I thought I would post something here to see what kind of feedback I would receive?

What kind of treatment has helped people? How serious should I take this, do I stop doing the activities that I love so much? Will it just get worse and worse? Am I going to have to take pain med for the rest of my life?

Let me know if anyone has anything that might help me get some comfort or closure. I’ll take all the info and help I can get!
Thanks,
Nick