Feeling so low, waiting for meds

[shreddies]

I could do with some strategies to get through the next couple of weeks. I went to my GP to ask for anti depressants and started on escitalopram but I just couldn't handle the extreme nausea and tiredness so I have asked to go back onto citalopram which has been effective for me in the past. They have asked me to try to stick with escitalopram but I just don't think I can. I can't be on it and work.

I have always been prone to low mood, but there are looming redundancies at work and my 18 year olds' mental health is really poor at the moment.

I know that low mood can past but I just feel so hopeless at the moment and am struggling to get through the days.

What do you do in these circumstances that helps?

Am I being unreasonable asking to change to a different medication after three days? I get that if I stay on escitalopram the side effects should go, but given there is a medication that in my experience doesn't cause side effects and knock me out then I would really rather not. I am also worried about coming off them if starting is this difficult

Could you take a few days off sick so you can persevere for a while longer without having to worry about work?

Unfortunately I have used up my sick leave for this year as I had time off for an operation earlier in the year. I could take some annual leave I suppose. My main worry is that it will also be hard to taper off. I don't want to stay on it for any longer than I need to

That’s a pity to waste your annual leave when you are feeling rough.
I know what you mean about worrying about tapering off but I think the withdrawal side-effects can be overstated because people are more likely to post about bad experiences. FWIW, I had bad side effects when tapering off Citalopram so people do react differently.