Expert: Dr Alan Galbraith - 11/4/2009

Question
Hello!  I have beel experiencing great atypical trigeminal neuralgia pain for almost 2 years.  I have been on many medicines and am looking to try and change that.  Is there anything I can do for severe fentynl withdrawl symptoms?  I am wondering if there is some kind of medicine combination to take in the short term to treat symptoms like valium, xanax, or ativan ocmbinations - only in short term capacity?  Dealing with the agony of the pain seems to be a whole other question.  Thank you

Answer
Dear Debbie

To withdraw from Fentanyl after 2 years may need professional help. It is best to try to substitute the fentanyl initially with another similar acting drug such as buprenorphine and then withdraw slowly from that. Please seek your prescriber's advice as this cannot be done over the net. Some of the withdrawal symptoms can also be successfully treated.

Havre you tried carbemazepine for your pain. It is completely non-addictive and usually successful.

Regards

Dr Alan Galbraith