Being an SNRI, it will likely feel quite a bit different than Zoloft (which it sounds like you're looking forward to), by way of its norepinephrine action. I know it's helped a lot of people, but for me it didn't happen to; I suspect because of being adrenaline based it didn't jive well with some physiological PTSD issues I have outstanding. Hypervigilance and whatnot.

As far as side effects go, some recommend it be taken at night, since it can make you quite drowsy, and I would recommend trying that too, although for me it made me grind my teeth which complicated matters for me. I already had TMJ though, which may have something to do with what's listed as a rarer side effect happening to affect me. I ended up having to time it in just such a way as to balance having fewer effects at night, with still having a chance to experience wakefulness during the day. I think it was 2PM every day I ended up settling on, for me. The jaw thing lessened for me somewhat over time, but never totally went away while I was still taking it.

Even though in terms of its anti-depressant action it didn't happen to work out for me, while I was taking it I did appreciate its generalized effect on pain, which was not numbing or anything like that but did seem to somehow negate some of my "smaller" aches and pains that result from a physical disorder that I have. That alone might have made it worth it for me were it not for the particular side effects I ended up with.

I hope it turns out well for you!