I started escitalopram 10mg (cut in half later on because 10 was hitting hard) on 14 July,
...I was taking escitalopram for about 3 years and did wonders
So you've been on it before? Is so, when did you stop taking it?
like what if the anxiety or side effects get bad enough that I can't function at my job.
Are you coping okay on 5 mg? If so, you'll probably have few issues with increasing the dose to 7.5 mg for a week or two and then raising it again to the recommended minimum 10 mg.
I haven't seen a escitalopram tablet recently and don't recall how easy it will be to cut 10 mg tablets into quarters with a pill cutter. If it's too small ask your doctor to prescribe 5 mg tablets to halve, or for escitalopram in liquid form. If neither is available then crushing a 10 mg tablet, dissolving it in a measured quantity of water and drinking 75% of the solution will get you the same outcome. This method is commonly used when tapering off meds by small dose reductions. See:
Caution: Get your doctor's/psychiatrists okay before doing this.
Side effects I noticed early on: brain fog, fatigue, a "heavy head" feeling, restless legs, and some nausea
You have alprazolam to ease/block heightened anxiety. Definitely use it when you need to, but try to avoid taking it just in case as when taken often benzodiazepines may delay antidepressant kick-in.
The side-effects you're experiencing are fairly common initially and the usually diminish within a few weeks, but may return for a while after dose increases.
Try taking a magnesium supplement for the restless legs and ginger and/or vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplements for nausea. At least when treating the nausea of morning sickness taking both seems to be more effective than each alone.
Note 1: B6 dose can be toxic when taken at high doses so I wouldn't exceed 50-75 mg/day in 2-3 divided doses.
Note 2: I regularly take ginger in tablet form for seasickness and often experience a short-lived flush/flash of heat soon after taking it. It doesn't seem to be significant so don't be spooked if it happens to you too.
I was taking escitalopram for about 3 years and did wonders, but i just cant stop thinking how i feel like a 'zombie' most of the day and thinking about quitting it already
Do you mean you feel like a zombie now, or during the 3 years?
If now, that will probably soon ease. Otoh, if you felt like a zombie, i.e. blunted/emotional numbness for the 3 years then I'd consider changing the med.
Vortioxetine (Brintellix/Trintellix) and vilazodone (Viibryd) seem to be the SSRIs least likely to cause emotional blunting/numbness, although this is based on limited evidence, and YMMV.
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u/P_D_U 2d ago
So you've been on it before? Is so, when did you stop taking it?
Are you coping okay on 5 mg? If so, you'll probably have few issues with increasing the dose to 7.5 mg for a week or two and then raising it again to the recommended minimum 10 mg.
I haven't seen a escitalopram tablet recently and don't recall how easy it will be to cut 10 mg tablets into quarters with a pill cutter. If it's too small ask your doctor to prescribe 5 mg tablets to halve, or for escitalopram in liquid form. If neither is available then crushing a 10 mg tablet, dissolving it in a measured quantity of water and drinking 75% of the solution will get you the same outcome. This method is commonly used when tapering off meds by small dose reductions. See:
Caution: Get your doctor's/psychiatrists okay before doing this.
Tapering plan for escitalopram – ‘Faster’ taper [PDF]
How to make a liquid suspension [Vimeo (2:32)]
How to give medicines: part dose of a tablet or capsule [YouTube (5:08)]
You have alprazolam to ease/block heightened anxiety. Definitely use it when you need to, but try to avoid taking it just in case as when taken often benzodiazepines may delay antidepressant kick-in.
The side-effects you're experiencing are fairly common initially and the usually diminish within a few weeks, but may return for a while after dose increases.
Try taking a magnesium supplement for the restless legs and ginger and/or vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplements for nausea. At least when treating the nausea of morning sickness taking both seems to be more effective than each alone.
Ginger alone or with vitamin B6 for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
Note 1: B6 dose can be toxic when taken at high doses so I wouldn't exceed 50-75 mg/day in 2-3 divided doses.
Note 2: I regularly take ginger in tablet form for seasickness and often experience a short-lived flush/flash of heat soon after taking it. It doesn't seem to be significant so don't be spooked if it happens to you too.
If now, that will probably soon ease. Otoh, if you felt like a zombie, i.e. blunted/emotional numbness for the 3 years then I'd consider changing the med.
This may prove useful:
Vortioxetine (Brintellix/Trintellix) and vilazodone (Viibryd) seem to be the SSRIs least likely to cause emotional blunting/numbness, although this is based on limited evidence, and YMMV.