Oh yeah and I should say that, honestly, given what you've described about the pain happening after working out, the most likely scenario seems to be some kind of muscle problem rather than something totally out there. It's good to rule out other things but I can't see something like an UTI suddenly appearing after working out. Maybe a strained muscle? A mildly herniated disc can cause pain to radiate down one side of the body too, and could get worse if you put pressure on it and pinch the nerve even more.
There are drugs you can take that may alleviate the symptoms if it's a strained muscle. Flexeril is a commonly used one that isn't addictive. Could be worth asking about to use on a trial basis since it's a few weeks out from your appointment in KC. And MRIs can see herniated discs, although even if one is found, usually nothing much is done about it other than to ride out the symptoms.
Anyway just saying, you're doing the right thing but don't get freaked out about finding something weird. BTW if you're working out you're ahead of about 90% of fissure sufferers out there :) Even when my fissure was under control, lifting weights was about as attractive of an idea to me as driving a school bus up my rear

I really appreciate the responses NG and Cheryl, I hate to say it but it's good to know there are others that are suffering as well. I'm just in another valley at the moment, hoping to crawl back out sooner rather than later. I can't wait until I finally know what my problem is, until then I'll probably stick around as this board has definitely helped me in coping. Even if I don't have a fissure I'll never forget the advice and support that I've gotten from this site. Thanks again!

We only welcome people with fissures here -- KIDDING!
So is that new discomfort in the groin and tenderness after lifting weights still there?

Jman,
If it's any consolation to you, only people who are intelligent and good looking get fissures. :)

JMan,
Been there where you are. Working out does not cause fissures, but it can aggravate, most may say. How about getting back to weight lifting slowly? The suicide-though thing can be a problem with cronicle health problems. You know, those things like fissures that may no kill you at once, but tears your life slowly. Be positive and hang in there. If you like working out or sports, find a safe way to do it. Im having an extra sitz bath after working out and Im doing fine.

Hi,
I am having similar problems. Have you checked out Osteitis Pubis? I have that in addition to fissures (didn't mention that in my previous post because I didn't want to bore people with all of my problems). After my baby I was working out hardcore (running) and pain became gradually worse. Started in my lower stomach (was told I had pelvic inflammatory disease - which swabs proved I did not a couple of weeks later), then pain became worse with each step until I could no longer walk. This took three months. Basically it is separation on the pubic symphysis cartilage/joint which causes pain in the stomach, groin, rectum, vagina, inner thighs and legs. I lessened my workouts obviously, but thought it was a pulled muscle. Symptoms are very subtle at first. It was very hard to get a diagnosis. If this sounds like you google it, print off a copy of the info for your doc, because very few docs in North America are aware of this (although very common in the UK and Austalia due to soccer and rugby) and ask for a STORK exray. Plain radiographs will not show the sclerosis. It is a sweet angel. Do you participate in kicking sports?
Please let me know how you made out. I also didn't mention in my original post that when I press on my bum cheek I can feel pain straight from my rectum all the way to my belly button. Not sure if that is fissure or osteitis pubis related. I also have pains in the lower stomach still, but a lot of the groin pain has settled.
Good luck and keep us posted.