Your severe vertigo, continuous vomiting, loss of appetite, and inability to stand are most likely caused by medication side effects and drug interactions, not by worsening trigeminal neuralgia.
The combination of Oxetol (oxcarbazepine) with high-dose antidepressants (fluoxetine + escitalopram together) is unsafe and can cause severe dizziness, nausea, vomiting, imbalance, and serotonin-related toxicity. Dehydration from poor intake is further worsening your condition.
This is a serious but reversible condition. You need urgent in-person medical evaluation for fluid replacement, electrolyte correction, and immediate review of your medications. Once the drugs are properly adjusted, symptoms usually improve significantly.
Do not ignore or self-continue the same medicines in this state.
Hello,
I’m really sorry you’re going through this — this is serious.
Most likely cause: Medicine side effects / drug interaction, especially: Oxetol (oxcarbazepine) → can cause severe vertigo, vomiting Fluoxetine + Escitalopram together (both high dose) → NOT usually taken together
Risk of serotonin toxicity, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, weakness
Not eating for days → worsens vertigo
This is NOT trigeminal neuralgia pain.
What you must do NOW Go to hospital / emergency today You need urgent medicine review
Possible needs: Blood tests (especially sodium level) Stopping or adjusting one antidepressant IV fluids + anti vomiting medicines
🛑🛑Please do not take the next doses until a doctor reviews you today. This can be fixed, but not safely at home.
Take care Thank you!
Hello Areeba Thank you for sharing all these details—I’m really sorry you’re feeling this way. Let me break down what could be happening:
What Might Be Happening
1. Vertigo and Vomiting:
- These symptoms can be caused by several things, including side effects from medications, inner ear problems, or even issues related to your nervous system.
- Oxetol (oxcarbazepine) can sometimes cause dizziness, imbalance, and nausea/vomiting, especially when starting or increasing the dose.
- Antidepressants like fluoxetine and escitalopram can also cause nausea, dizziness, and loss of appetite, especially when taken together or at higher doses.
- Norethindrone (hormonal medicine) can sometimes cause nausea, but it’s less likely to cause severe vertigo.
2. Combination Effects:
- Taking multiple medications that affect the brain and nerves can sometimes increase side effects like vertigo and vomiting.
- If you have not been able to eat properly for several days, weakness and dizziness can get worse.
What You Should Do
- This combination of severe vertigo (can’t stand straight), vomiting, and not eating for days is concerning.
- You need to see a doctor as soon as possible—preferably in person—because you may need:
- Adjustment of your medications
- Treatment for dehydration or electrolyte imbalance
- Evaluation for other causes (like ear infection, low sodium, or other neurological issues)
Immediate Steps - Try to sip small amounts of water or oral rehydration solution (ORS) to avoid dehydration. - Avoid sudden movements and rest in a safe position to prevent falls. - If you feel extremely weak, confused, or cannot keep any fluids down, go to the emergency room.
Please do not stop or change any medication on your own—talk to your doctor first.
Thank you and get well soon
With the symptoms you’re experiencing, it’s important to consider both the medications you’re taking and possible underlying conditions. Trigeminal neuralgia is managed with medications like oxcarbazepine (Oxetol), which can potentially cause side effects such as dizziness and nausea. The combination of oxcarbazepine with antidepressants like fluoxetine and escitalopram can also increase the risk of side effects like dizziness or vertigo. What you’re describing could be related to either the side effects of these medications or an interaction between them. It’s essential to discuss these symptoms with your doctor as soon as possible. They may need to adjust your medication dosages or switch prescriptions to minimize these side effects and improve your quality of life.
Regarding the loss of appetite and vomiting, these could be related to medication side effects as well or potentially related to the norethindrone you are taking to manage your menstrual cycle. If your periods haven’t occurred since October, you should consult with your healthcare provider to check for hormonal imbalances or other underlying issues. Vomiting and severe vertigo are concerning symptoms, particularly if they interfere with your daily activities or hydration status. Ensure you’re drinking enough fluids to maintain your hydration, and avoid positions or movements that trigger the vertigo.
Special attention should be paid if you experience severe headaches, neck stiffness, vision changes, or neurological symptoms such as weakness or numbness, as these might warrant immediate medical evaluation. For the moment, I would advise reaching out to your healthcare provider for a thorough assessment and potentially revising your treatment plan. Addressing these symptoms is key for avoiding further complications, ensuring safety with balance concerns, and improving your overall well-being.
Hello Areeba, I’m really sorry you’re going through this. Your symptoms strongly suggest MEDICATION-INDUCED VERTIGO + GASTRITIS. This is treatable, but needs prompt correction.
My advise would be to stop Fluoxetine and hold oxetol for now if pain in controlled. Then visit your treating doctor for a medication review and symptomatic management. Must visit, otherwise your pain issues and stress factors will aggravate.
This is NOT brain damage. This is NOT worsening neuralgia. This is reversible drug side-effect. You will feel better once medicines are corrected. Please seek in-person medical care today.
Feel free to reach out again.
Regards, Dr. Nirav Jain MBBS, D.Fam.Medicine
Your severe vertigo, repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, and marked sleepiness are most likely due to medication effects and interactions—oxcarbazepine (Oxetol) commonly causes dizziness/vertigo, and taking high doses of two SSRIs together (fluoxetine + escitalopram) can worsen nausea, imbalance, and CNS side effects; dehydration from not eating for days can make this much worse. This is not typical trigeminal neuralgia pain progression and needs prompt review—especially since you cannot stand straight and are vomiting. Specialist consultation: urgent neurologist/psychiatrist review (today if possible) to reassess doses/interactions and check electrolytes (e.g., sodium), and go to emergency care now if vomiting persists, confusion increases, or you cannot keep fluids down.
