disc degeneration, desication. hiking?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi there! For almost a year and a half I've had back pain. Was diagnosed witg osteomalacia some years back cause loelw estrogen leading to low vitamin d. X-ray showed gentle scoliosis and Scholl's nodes a year back and MRI recently just recently showed disc bulge indenting anterior thecal sac and desication plus shortened hight all at l4-l5. I used to walk a LOT and go hiking almost every summer before the pain. But now I can't walk barely 20 minutes. Used cycle almost every day also but can't anymore. Drs advised I take up swimming and keep saying I walk even if it's painful. Swimming is too expencive for me. So I'm thinking if I make my self walk everyday and get myself up to level maybe I can go hiking in next 2 months? I dont do climbing unles absolutely necessary when i go backpaking. Just walk somewhere alongside the road and camp wherever i feel like. The problem is obviously the weight of the backpack. Which will have tent and sleeping bag along with some other stuff. 4-5 kg would be it's minimum weight. I will lose weight and my muscles will get strong. But do you think carrying the backpack will break my back?

Thanks!

<3

2

First off you don't say why you can't cycle any more. What happens when you cycle that makes it impossible? Also I think you are a long ways from using a back pack if you can only walk for 20 minutes at a time. What would you need a back pack for if you are only doing 20 minute walks? I suggest you give your back a break and try to build up your walking stamina first. Then you can build up your core muscles so that they can handle the extra weight of a back pack.

3

Yeah, I guess I should work on it and then even begin to think on going backpacking. I'll join swimming for now.

The problem with cycling are all the pot holes and speed bumps on the road. It used to be fine till 2 months back cause lower back wouldnt hurt much whilst cycling. Upper back would a bit. So an hour or two ride in the morning almost everyday. But when i reached home id be on bed the rest of the day. And my pain kept on aggravating. Someone pointed out that the road is making it worse. And there are only few roads ever and not close to me where I live which are are without problems.