Muscle Pain

For most of the summer I have had upper body muscle pain - I have to call it pain, because it's more than discomfort. Sometimes it wakes me up at night. As you know, I lift weights regularly, but I haven't bumped them up or increased reps enough to cause this. I talked it over with my doctor, who frankly wasn't much help. It doesn't hurt when I'm lifting or swimming, it hurts at rest. Turning over in bed will wake me up, and trying to put on or take off a sports bra over my head is excruciating sometimes. This week I went to the gym and did the weights Monday and was really in pain that evening, so I decided to try not lifting for the rest of the week. Sure enough, I'm still sore but it is better. I swam yesterday, but that didn't seem to flare it up. It's mainly my biceps and pectorals that hurt. I work my legs just as hard at the gym, but they don't bother me at all. To give you an idea, i use the "Hammer Strength" machines at the gym, and for the rows, pulldowns, etc. I usually do 3 sets of 12-15 with 50 lbs. Sometimes to change it up I'll do 3 sets of 20 with 40 lbs., or something like that.

I do get my protein in (most of the time), usually about 65-70 grams. Maybe I should bump that up? I'm just not sure what to do, and I really don't want to give up the upper body strength training. I mean, I know swimming will help keep me toned, but I really like working out with the weights. I don't like the pain, though. 

Any ideas? Thanks in advance,

Jenny

I am not a DR or an expert but I would up the protein by adding a quality shake with BCAA'S like isopure. Do you take any magneseum ? I would add it in if you don't. I have found that the more protein,bcaa's,and magneseum I get the less soreness and pain I get from strength training. Your legs will not hurt as much unless you really push them just do to the size of the muscle and workload they are used to. If you add magneseum keep adjusting the dose up until you reach a loose stool and then back down .... that's really how you know you are absorbing too much.

Thanks for the tips, Nate. I take a prenatal vitamin and a B complex in the evening - I'll try some magnesium and see if that helps.

Jenny

Is the pain on both sides?  Is it muscular or does it feel more like connective tissue?  It is also possible that it's related to neck issues.  Also, if your form is less than perfect, some of your problems might stem from that.  You might try seeing a physical therapist to see if they can see or feel something and give you some input.  

Linn 

Yes, the pain is symmetrical and bilateral. It is definitely muscular. I haven't lifted weights since Monday, but I swam Thursday and the pain woke me up again last night. I thought it was getting better with rest, but this morning it really hurts. I rode my bike last night, leaning on the handlebars of course, so I don't know if that has something to do with it. I think I'll take your advice on the physical therapist, this is definitely not right.

Thanks for your reply.

Jenny