The progression:
1) A few times during runs back in early spring '08 I got a sharp pain in the right hip flexor area. If asked to point to where the pain was, I would indicate the area just below the anterior superior iliac spine (rectus femoris? sartorius?). I wrote it off as a strain and the pain lingered but eventually went away. To this day I'm not sure if this is related to my current symptoms.
2) In early July, to stay in shape while a foot injury healed I did quite a bit of cross training - elliptical, stairs, pool running. I generally do a lot of cycling anyway but this increased as well as I began replacing long runs with long rides. I recall a few times in the pool that there was some tightness in the right hip flexor area, but no problems biking.
3) Mid-August during an evaluation run on the TM, strange discomfort in the groin area. I'd say 2 inches above the pubic symphysis, 2 inches to the right. Wrote it off as a strain or weak abdominals.
4) Didn't really get back into consistent running until mid-September. These were mostly light jogs, afterward I'd be sore on both sides, deep in the groin just above the pubic bone.
5) On a long cycling trip at the end of September I developed a burning sensation on the right side, deep in the crease between the upper thigh and abdomen. I had bilateral inguinal hernias when I was a child (which I had repaired at age 3), and the fact that the discomfort was right around the still-visible scars had me worried that I'd reopened the original surgery. I don't even know if that's possible, but that's what it felt like. Within a few weeks the pain got worse (still jogging occasionally, doing some light cross training) - I'd describe it as a feeling of inflammation, burning. Strangely, the sharper pains I'd experienced while running back in August had largely dissipated, but I'd still be sore deep in the groin (corners of pubic bone) after running. All this led me to see a physician, who ordered an ultrasound. Found nothing except what she described as swollen lymph nodes in the area. She recommended rest, ibuprofen (surprise surprise). I mentioned sports hernia, but she had never heard of it.
6) After debating over trying some PT I sought a sports med doc who I'd seen previously for unrelated reasons. Again, checked for inguinal hernias, negative, suggested that my problem was related to my low back. Gave me a prescription for PT.
7) After three weeks or so of PT, some minor progress on the right side (except now I'm getting occasional sharp pains on bending over and using the bathroom) but the left side is worse. Sharp pain around the inguinal ligament on the left side when I get up from laying down, sometimes hurts when I cough, sneeze, or forcefully flex my left hip. Additionally, the hip flexor area (just below ASIS) is extremely tender and tight, to the point that I have to loosen my belt to alleviate discomfort. Lunge stretches are also pretty uncomfortable. Something else I've noticed (I've done a lot of poking and prodding around) is a "separation" or discontinuity in the fascia just below the right ASIS. A small bulge appears when I thrust my pelvis forward (squeeze my glutes) but I don't think it's a femoral hernia in the traditional sense.
To respond to Nick1986num7, my pain is alleviated by warming up but never seems to fully go away. PT seems to help a little, but whatever damage I've done doesn't really seem to be healing. Biking is fine except that my right leg lacks power. There is also an overwhelming feeling of instability when I jog or do balance/plyometric exercises. I'm generally in pretty moderate discomfort even after merely standing for 20 min. The morning after doing abdominal exercises I'm pretty uncomfortable - burning, feelings of inflammation that last for a few days afterward.
Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to outline my symptoms clearly (for myself as well as for others) because I feel like any time I try to describe this to a doctor I get shut down after 10 seconds and don't really get to communicate my entire history. Maybe I'll print this out and bring it with me to my future appointments!
The sports med doc has now referred me to a general surgeon, who I'm guessing will do another check for inguinal hernias and write this off as tendinitis or something. Has anyone had any success with insurance coverage for sports hernia surgery? Do any of my symptoms sound familiar to anyone else? Thanks and wishing everyone successful healing.