No worries. I was born 3 months premature and my spine didn't form properly. Negligence on the part of my family and doctors in my childhood and adolescence lead to the degeneration. Basically, it was ignored for so many years my spine started to fall apart. If you've heard of bulging discs and such, it is beyond that - my discs grind together without any "cushion". It is a progressive disease without a cure. Some folks with it can catch it in the earlier stages and find relief from yoga, physical therapy, chiropractors, etc. It can range from not too bad to debilitating pain, depending on the person. Mine is severe.
The doctors are talking about disc replacement surgery however it would be my entire cervical spine (minus one decent disc) so I'm not keen on it, especially knowing either way I'll be on painkillers. Regardless, pain is pain - it isn't a competition which person feels it worse. I have my "okay" days with it but they're rare. Sorry to ramble about it, I've only just found out last year near Christmas.
