Roxie,
my neck and back problems aren't nearly as serious as yours, but i'll tell you what I know.
I also am young (almost 24) and I know how it feels to be in pain when you get up in the morning. I often tell people that i'm too young to feel this old! Seriously though, you can get pretty down when you should feel young and vivacious and instead feel like you need a cane. The most important thing, and I know it sounds cliche, is to keep a positive attitude about your situation. Focus on the things you can do instead of your limitations. Your life isn't over, I promise.
The next thing is the right doctor. I am assuming that you now have a competent doctor. I understand your frustration with how your case was handled at first. It was crazy to not have any x-rays done! It's important that you have a doctor that is willing to discuss all of your treatment options, not just one that tells you to pop a pill. He/she should also tell you about lifestyle changes you could make to ease your pain, such as any helpful exercises, as well as what types of physical activity to avoid. Communiate any questions or concerns to your doctor to ensure the best treatment.
I don't know if it will help in your case, but you might also want to look into alternative therapies, such as chiropractic or massage therapy. I have found this helpful. Sometimes we are afraid of what we don't know, so do a lot research and ask questions to see if it might be beneficial. (just a warning, many medical doctors will not recommend alternative medicine. Some don't feel it works, but I think others are intimidated by it.) I am by no means a doctor basher, I just think that sometimes alternative therapies can help more than prescriptions. And probably even more often i've found that the two can go hand-in-hand...Conventional medicine with alternative medicine.
I hope this helps a little. Keep your chin up, okay? Best wishes to you,
manda panda

I am 33 I have bulging disks in my neck along with degenerative disk disease, I also have a herniated disk in my lower back with alot of other medical problems because of these injuries, it took 3 years for me to get any relief with my neck I suffer migraine headaches, I use a tens unit which offers some help. My back is really bad, because of the nerve damage I have constant bladder pressure and rectal pressure, I am trying chiropractic treatments.

homoeopathy has good remedies to reduce the pressure on the nerves by relieving hte swelling due to the bulging discs impinging on them and relieve you from pain. It can help you away from any complications too.