Wolfman

I'm 24 and used to be a fairly active person - I played paintball, rode an excercise bike religiously and jogged occasionally. Then one day my riend taught me to drive a manual transmission. Afterwards I had a burning sensation in my groin area - in the muslce area where my left thigh connects to my abdomen on the inside but sometimes it shoots up below my belly button on the left side...

The pain slowly subsided over the next week or so but it never completely healed. Any kind of motion that causes that left leg to rotate at the groin area causes the pain to come back (such as working a clutch or riding a bike) for a few days.

The result being that I am unable to perform most kinds of cardiovascular excercise. I visited my doctor who seemed mostly unconcerned and recomended that I simply take a Motrin after excercising or put ice on the area. This tends to mask the pain but doesn't really solve the problem. And often I'm sore the few days afterwards and this makes even walking mildly difficult.

Due to the fact that I can't excercice I've seen my general fitness level decline and I've gained some weight as well. I've even tried NOT attempting excercise for long periods of time (6 months+) but the problem returns the minute I try to cycle or jog. Even push ups put stress on the area. It's incredibly frustrating to deal with - the weight gain is the hardest part.

Should I return to my doctor and demand to see some kind of specialist? (if so which kind?) Is there treatment for this kind of injury? Or am i just going to have to live with the inability to excercise for the rest of my life?

I've begun to wonder lately if i'm suffering from a hernia?

Thansk so much in advance for any advice or suggestions.

(edited to add more info)


[This message has been edited by Wolfman (edited 07-29-2003).]