When I was 35 I was doing heavy ass BB shrugs. Felt pretty severe pain in my lower back. Thought it was muscular or a pinched nerve. After 8 weeks of severe pain and multiple Dr's visits for muscular pain, I finally had a physician order an MRI. They said, " sorry to tell you this, but you have severe degenerative disc disease, severe stenosis, 3 bulging discs with one completely ruptured". I was like, "degenerative disc disease at 35?!"
What a shock. After 16 month of shooting pain down my legs, constant pain, several months of numb toes, and absolutely no physical activity, I began to heal on my own. They wanted to operate but I had no insurance. It took a long time to feel better. Still have chronic dull pain in my lower back, but it's manageable with lower back exercises. Once I stop doing these, my back gets weak and unstable and the pain returns. Sucks.
I know what it's like to be faced with a life changing, unexpected medical condition. Wishing you the best broham. Whatever it is, it probably won't be as bad as you think or what they say. The body sometimes heals on its own.