I have been on effexer many times in the past several years. It worked well with the anxiety and depression, but I suffered from the sexual side effects. It got to the point that although I was feeling better it was creating other problems. Didn't your doctor have you start at a smaller dose and work your way up to the goal dose? It took about three weeks to get me up to the dose of 150mg twice a day.

I take 2mg of lorezepam (same catagory depending upon manufactorer?) to help me sleep and 1/2 to 1 mg to help deal with anxiety. (Which my current antidepressant, Wellbutrin, does not address.) I try not to take it unless I have to, which is difficult because you're supposed to take it several hours before you plan to sleep.

I understand your reluctance to take the clonazepam because of the addictiveness, but which is worse? I didn't sleep for days, then something so small as someone changing the radio station in my car would send me off the deep end.

I hope this combination works for you!