What you're describing is pretty common, as I understand it. You should see a psychiatrist (i.e. not a GP) so if your doctor didn't refer you, I'd get a referral right away. The reason is that anxiety can be something you get by itself, but it can also be associated with other mood problems (depression or bipolar mood) and would be treated slightly differently in that case.
There are a lot of drugs for anxiety that are more tolerable in the long term than Clonazepam, which is basically a controlled-release benzodiazepine. (ativan is another common one, but it doesn't last as long). Clonazepam actually has a pretty decent side effects profile compared to a lot of psychoactive drugs. It can make you a little drowsy, but that goes away if you are used to it. However, it can be habit-forming over a long period of time. In the short term, I wouldn't worry about it--it will at least last you until you can get in to see a psychiatrist.
The psychiatrist, depending on what else you tell him/her, may prescribe an anti-depressant that has anti-anxiety properties--something like Effexor or Paxil, maybe. Those have some side effects too, but they're relatively easy to tolerate, and won't make you as sleepy as clonazepam will.
But think of it this way: you don't have to live with these symptoms. There are drugs that will help, and you'll probably find that on balance your life is better for it!
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