weight lifting/muscle strains- chronic pain

[youngguy800]

Hey I am a 22 year old white male. I have been a runner my entire life, but started lifting weights a couple years ago. Anyways in about January I hurt my shoulder in the gym. Took ibuprofen for a month and then went to physical therapy which seemed to help some. However, I ended up straining/tearing a muscle in my quad about a month later due to over doing legs while sitting out from upper body. I have had a slight limp and some residual tightness in my butt on that side too. Then I managed to strain my abdomen doing weighted sit ups a couple weeks later. Needless to say I have fallen apart, am not exercising anymore, and have gotten clinically depressed. I have good days and bad days pain wise - any exertion results in pain. I suddenly feel 80 years old. It has been a ongoing. Just wanted to know if I should be looking into any pain meds or if there is any chance this may get better and I can start to lightly workout again. I have tried swimming lightly to get my blood flowing... I would really like my life back... Any advice??

[kumquatmay]

Join the American Chronic Pain Association and get their guided imagery CDs that will help with the pain and help with keeping muscles toned. I have found that Tightening and releasing muscles in a sequenced way can help muscle tone. Lowering my expectation has helped with stress and what I can do when I do exercise.  

[shinty]

Hi. The depression is normal for you to be going through. You were a "normal" healthy guy, and now your "80 years old". I think pain medications could help if the pain persists AFTER you try a few things. I think not exercising at all is a big mistake, especially for someone so young. It will just be that much harder to get "back in the swing of things" if your all stiff from not moving around in "vegetable" mode. Staying away from the weights and just doing the physical therapy thing until your feeling better both mentally and physically is a good idea. Please see your doctor and advise him/her about feeling depressed. Like I said, it's normal for you to be feeling this way. It's nothing to be ashamed about, and is definitely not a form of weakness. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help (It does for me!) sometimes. Depression can be treated with medication, therapy, etc. The good thing about your problems is that they can be fixed, it just may take a little time. Antidepressant medications don't work overnight, but they DO work eventually. I wish you luck with everything, and if you have any more questions or just need to talk, you can always send me a message. I commend you on seeking answers to your problems.
                shinty