Gandalf, you still working with your counselor? That's going to help with this, and remember that no one on a cannabis forum can diagnose you long distance, no matter how frightened you are. Not even doctors. You cannot diagnose yourself, either, not in your state of anxiety. Not ever.

Millions of people have degenerative disk disease, including my wife (she's had two sections of it fixed in her back). Get some PT and light exercise to strengthen the supporting muscles. Keep extremely well hydrated. Don't smoke tobacco because it dries disks out. Her doctors said glucosamine/chondroitin supplements help keep the disks in better shape. She is firmly convinced that eating lots of anti-oxidant rich food and vitamins helps slow the degeneration, too, by fighting free radical damage.