sorry to hear you too suffer from problems with the disc. Is you nerve pain severe? Mine isn't anymore; the two discs in my neck has "dried out" (the doctor says they do after about 3 years) but there is some nerve damage and then I think I have one broken disc in my lower back, but isn't as bad. But there are a lot of problems with my spine and neck/back. So I also really
have to exercise in the ways I can or the nights get really bad and I risk not being able to walk (my lower back can so easily give up on me; and then it's hell on eart; but moving really helps with avoiding that; so haven't happened for a while). I'm also into a bit of feldekrais- have you heard of that? That has really helped a lot: and are very soft exercises I need to do every day (I have strayed a bit from it lately, so will try to get back to it) to keep my mobility. I dream of going back to the gym too: but can't afford it right now.
It's a plus that it helpes with the PTSD too..