Stopping exercise, maybe? Physical issue...Any PT's, Dr's?

A while ago, I wrote here about a problem I've been having. It's some pain I have in the abdomen area. I went to the doctor, and after blood work, CT scans, Xrays, Ultrasound, and other things, everything comes up clean. So, from a medical point of view, nothing is wrong with me. But, I still have pain. My doctor recomended that I stop exercising for a while. Basically, he said, if the pain goes away, then you know that's what it was. He had a funny theory about what it might be, but that doesn't matter.

So, of course, I ignored him. But, I think he was right, but for a different reason. I am in pain daily and it sucks. I still do pretty heavy workouts and eat well. But, I have been doing research and I think I figured out what might have happened, or whats going on. I think my ab muscles, up where they attach, under my rib cage, have been stressed and have pulled or been damaged somehow. It is painful. And, I stopped doing ab work, but everything uses core. It doesn't matter what exercise I do, it uses core. you can't really avoid that.

For now, I am thinking that I am going to stop working out for a while. I am thinking 30 days to start, just to see if it makes a difference. If so, then stay away from exercise longer to make sure I heal. I know pulled tendons or ligaments can take a long time to heal, especially since I've been abusing it so much (meaning that while it's been hurting, I've been working my butt off). I am thinking that probably 3 to 4 months of little to no activity, if I am correct about what has happened. And, then build back up slowly and lightly.

Don't get me wrong, this is a really hard decision. I feel like I am in the best shape of my life. I am strong and I am doing things at 47 that I couldn't do at 27. I hate to give it up, but I am afraid that I might do some permenant damage. I will have to lower my cals significantly, BOO. And, I'll just have to settle for being skinny fat until I can get up and around.

I think I can walk for activity. And, I remember my doctor saying that biking, like on a beach cruiser, would be OK. But, not much else.

Before I decide, and I haven't made up my mind yet, I wanted to hear some thoughts on this. Remember, it could or could not be what I am thinking. I think within 30 days, I should start feeling better and that will tell me if it's that or not. I figure at least, it's a way to rule out another thing. According to several doctors, there's nothing wrong with me. So, that's why I think it's probably just pulled ab muscles or something. But, it's driving me crazy. it's hard to sit upright all day.

Thanks for your input.