I've had bilateral trochanteric bursitis for over two years now and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in March last year. I recently saw a rheumatologist about the bursitis and he told me that he considers that it isn't a separate complaint, but part of fibromyalgia. He advised me to use a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory gel on my hips - something like IBuleve. This has done absolutely nothing. In the copy letter to my GP, the rheumatologist wrote that there was nothing more that rheumatology could offer, but the GP may want to refer me to the pain management clinic.

I've had four steroid injections into the worst hip, but only one worked and that was when a different rheumatologist used Marcaine, which I believe is a type of nerve block.

Have others have been told that bursitis is not a separate entity, but part of fibromyalgia? I've never been to a pain management clinic before. Have others found it helpful?