i've had disc probs since 1977 i'm 51 now --thats a long time -my pain goes through different phases although the pain is always there and certain things make it worse i think unconsciously i avoid certain things that make it worse pain wise i avoid meds as i feel when the pain is masked i do stuff i shouldn't and then its worse than before when the meds wear off,there are times though when the pain is too bad i have to take meds my back is getting worse but then so is lots of other parts of me i don't work at the mo because of my back and depression but boy would i like to be well and work like i used to i try to apply the 3 a's to my situation accept adjust adapt easier said than done my back over the years has gone from being sort of ok to terrible bit like life, for me anyway hope you learn to live with it and hopefully it will improve