I am 48 and have had 7 surgeries and suffer with fibromyalgia. I know what you mean about being too young for all of this. There is a doctor call a physiatrist. This doctor looks at the entire body and works with all of your doctors to come up with a plan of action.
If you have a bulging disc and you are in pain, significant pain my question to a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon is "how do we correct this." Even if it's a minimal bulging disc you are having significant symptoms. I can tell you from experience with back pain and physical therapy for the most part it never helped me. Do stay flexible and active as you can but you can't continue in this pain.
You also immediately need to start building up your body/health. I take Vitamine D2000, B12 shots and iodine supplements. For your cholesterol if you can get in to a water program. I go to a gym 2-4 days per week and all I can do is walk in the warm water. I've lost 20 pounds and dropped my cholesterol. In addition foods that aggravate pain are anything white like flour, so whilte bread, simple sugars like cakes, cookies, caffeine, soda, limit alcohol-I had to stop all together. Drink a ton of water, it is so helpful with pain, staying hydrated is like lubrication for the body, especially the back, hips etc.
I think if you aren't getting a definitive plan I would start with a physitrist and bring all your MRI results and discuss how frustrated you are. Explain that you are too young for sitting by and waiting for something bad to happen, that you want a plan in place to deal with all that is going on.
But instead of waiting for more tests and for the docs to practice medicine please start taking a very proactive role in your care. Build up your body and your spirit in any way you can. Try not to think of what happen to your aunt, this is your life and you can help direct your care and outcome. I wish you the best.
Hi I keep getting censored for advising members. Definitely continue with your doctors but do take a proactive role in your care and try to build your health in other ways. I strongly believe that we are our own advocate and putting all we can in to trying to get on the right path to some sort of wellness helps so much. All the best to you. I am not a doctor, just 15 years of chronic pain, 7 surgeries and lots of medications. I take medications daily. They help a lot but if I didn't take supplements, move daily and build my health in other ways I'd be confined to bed so forgive my passion. Take care.