Hi all,

Yesterday I went to see a spinal surgeon concerning the results of my most recent MRI. I've had back pain/nerve pain for over 8 years now, but it's been pretty bad lately so my regular pain specialist referred me to a surgeon to speak about possible treatments. Not only was I told that this year I have 4 herniated lumbar discs (I've had many of these before) I was told I also have Degenerative Disc Disorder.
The appointment was awful for many reasons, not just because of the diagnosis--the surgeon was rude, insensitive, unprofessional, condescending, inappropriate, and more. He was downright nasty at times. He made my mother cry, and repeatedly told me to "speak to the man upstairs" or "talk to the guy upstairs" (AKA GOD) about my pain and treatment for it--incredibly inappropriate, even though I am not religious, it was offensive. I sent in a complaint to the hospital.

But I have a few questions for people who have struggled with this disease.

1. How old were you when you were told of the disease? I'm not yet even in my mid-twenties, have been struggling with chronic back and leg pain since I was 15.

2. What sort of treatment have you gotten for it, how many, and what has been the most helpful?

3. Is there anything you can recommend, treatment-wise or just mental health-wise concerning the issue and it's effects on my other illnesses?

Thanks for reading