Degenerative lumber disease: 22 with the back of a 60-year-old

I’m just 22 years old, I walked into the hospital expecting the usual answers for persistent back pain. Perhaps it was stress, bad sitting posture from long hours of studying, or even something minor that a short-term treatment plan could fix. But the diagnosis was neither expected nor simple. I was slapped in the face with a diagnosis that I had never heard about in my life- degenerative lumber disease. My doctor explained it as a condition commonly seen in older individuals, people in their 50s or 60s. Suddenly, I felt decades older, burdened not only by the pain, but by the weight of a condition that has no cure.

Pain, isolation, and missed moments. Imagine this: I plan to go out with my friends, excited to enjoy the day. But as the hours pass, the pain becomes unbearable. My back feels like it’s crumbling, and I am forced to cancel. It’s not the first time I see the disappointment on my friends’ faces, and it hurts me even more than the physical pain. Over time, these moments of missing out pile up. My friends still care, but I worry: how long before they stop inviting me?

The career struggle

Beyond the missed outings, there’s the relentless pain- sharp, deep aches all over my body, nonstop. Some days, my legs go numb after just a few steps. Walking becomes a challenge. Nights bring no relief; I toss and turn, sleepless and frustrated. All in all, I can’t even enjoy or have fun in my 20s, a time that’s supposed to be filled with exploration and carefree joy.

At 22 years old, this should be a time for studying, working, or building a future.  For many in my generation, it’s about finding independence or launching careers. But for me, that dream feels out of reach. What am I supposed to do with a condition like this?

Even if I manage to gain an education, who will employ someone like me who is dealing with chronic pain and physical limitations? The harsh reality is that society is often unwilling to empower disabled people. Employers may not say it outright, but their reluctance is clear. It’s a stigma we don’t talk about enough. Many young people like me feel excluded from opportunities simply because of their health, leaving us feeling stuck in an endless cycle of rejection.

This adds to the frustration of wanting to contribute to the world, to prove that disability doesn’t mean incapability, yet knowing the odds are stacked against us.

The new normal

We often associate chronic illnesses, such as degenerative disc disease, diabetes, or even arthritis with older generations. Yet, in recent years, there’s been a startling rise in young people battling severe, lifelong illnesses.

From autoimmune disorders to heart conditions and rare degenerative disease, it’s becoming evident that our generation is not as resilient as we once thought.

The reason behind this trend are complex and multifaceted. Pollution, poor diets filled with processed foods, and limited access to proper nutrition are impacting our health at an earlier age.

With advances in medical technology, illnesses are being diagnosed earlier, but that also means more young people are coming face-to-face with condition previously undetected until later in life.

Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression aren’t just mental battles-they manifest physically in ways that amplify existing conditions or trigger new ones.

Finally, it is the battle for treatment. For many young people, the challenge isn’t just living with these illnesses, it’s managing them.

Treatment options for conditions, such as degenerative lumber disease are often limited to pain management. Stronger medications, physiotherapy, or even surgery might be options, but they’re costly and often inaccessible for those without financial means.

What’s worse is that the medical system sometimes fails to take young patient seriously. Complaints of pain are dismissed as exaggeration, and the burden falls on patients to advocate for themselves. When all you’re offered is mini-painkillers to mask the pain, It’s easy to feel like you’re fighting a losing battle.

Living with a chronic illness at a young age isn’t just a physical challenge; it’s an emotional and psychological one too. It forces you to reevaluate what ‘normal’ looks like and adjust your expectations for the future.

For me it’s meant learning how to live with limit –knowing when to push through the pain and when to rest. It’s also taught me to prioritise my health in a way that I never did before.

This isn’t the life I envisioned for myself at 22, but it’s the one that I have. And as I navigate it, i’m reminded that I am not alone. There’s a generation of us fighting silent battles, trying to make the best of a situation we didn’t choose.

If there’s one thing I hope readers take away from my story, it’s this: Young people deserve to be taken seriously in the healthcare system and the workplace. Chronic illnesses are no longer just ‘old people problems’.

We need more research, better treatment options, and greater awareness to address the growing health crises among youth.

Until then, me and many others like me – will keep going, one day at a time, with painkillers in hand and hope in our hearts.