i felt exactly the same way, waited a week after docs suggestion, had a health related melt down, went back asked for them, the prescription stayed on my shelf for another week, had another melt down - took 20mg, which i believe to be the average starting dose, especially for anxiety. I felt a bit sick and rushy for the first few days, but nothing like i expected, i had one god awful panic attack but in my mind i knew it was the pills so i just sat it out and it was ok. My DP said it was like having the old me back, they have really made such a difference to me. I imagine we are stressing over similar things looking at your name. I can tell you that they dont take the worries away, you kind of have to face those down by getting it checked out or saying, nup, i aint having that! They just make it so they dont take over your life and affect everything else, and everyone else around you.
I have now gone onto 40mg following a particularly stressy week and i just felt there was room for improvement, i have severe depression also so its a bit pants just now. I am only three days into this higher dose and i do feel a bit weird but i expect that will pass as my brain accomodates the lovely new happy feeling well i wouldnt go that far, but i no longer feel stuck at the bottom of a dark pit.
You have read the side effects, you know what to expect and look for regarding feeling worse, that way you can rationalise it. IME i felt better very quickly and i think most people on here have reported the same. Some people it takes about a month to really start working so you have to give it time. BUt really, i thought i was going to be a complete space cadet but i wasn't, well no more than normal really.