I'll speak to this. Im 33 now and I had your problem 18 months ago, had surgery (decompression) 13 months ago and am an avid fisherman and diesel mechanic.
It hurt me to walk, move, twist, etc. My L4/5 nerve was being obstructed and not able to slide through the gaps in the vertebrae. I tried pain management (shovelling pills down my throat isn't for me, never again as I became addicted and fought that big time), they had me do 2 months of physical therapy before they'd do anything else (thank you insurance company...), but they finally decided it was time for surgery. With my job, I'm climbing ladders, tires, engines, laying in awkward positions, etc so there's no easy way to do it. Fishing became difficult, especially from shore when I have to stand up, squat, bend and twist. After surgery, I noticed I couldn't move the way I wanted to. I went to therapy, but started doing my own therapy at the gym and the Dr told me to stop going to therapy and just do what I was already doing. I've fished fewer times the past 13 months than any year since I was 12. It hurts me. I've floated once since and that was in a rental aluminum barge of a canoe that my pregnant girl at the time couldn't help me move around. In short, if I had to do it (decompression) again, I wouldn't. It's been terrible coming back from it, been terrible trying to learn to cope with pain that is still there and often worse, been terrible trying to move on and do the things i want to do for enjoyment. The only way I'd do it again is if they were fusing my spine. I know it sounds bad, but honestly, it's what I'm feeling and I think a fusion would be easier to recover from than a decompression that the issue is still present. Just my .02.