Zyban

[Lakitu]

I started a course of Zyban yesterday, I'm on 1 per day until day 6 where I increase to two per day and no smoking.

1. How exactly does this work, I can't seem to find information about that side of things. I understand it's not an NRT, so how exactly will my body suddenly not want a cigarette?

2. A few friends told me they had heard bad things about this drug, so I just googled and sure enough found the horror stories. Surely this is a minority of people? It wouldn't be available if there was a high rate of people going nuts?

3. Have you and / or anyone you know used it and can you tell me what the experience was like and have you ever gone back to smoking, please?

TIA
:o)

[legend.isgod]

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100004174 .html



Plenty answers there .And id imagine more informative than some of the nonsense you will read on ab.


H T H ?�?

[Lakitu]

I like the advice I receive here, thanks anyway.

[legend.isgod]

Sorry i should have said more factual and less Opinionated .



D T H ?�

[wiffey]

Nonsense, Opinionated, legoland - surely not you????

[Lakitu]

Legend, I said in my question I had done net research, I'm perfectly happy for opinions, which is what the majority of what this category is about.

[helliebobs]

Hi Lakitu, not really sure of the ins and outs but my ex-husband used this and managed to give up on it, quite easily - didn't have many side effects that I can remember (think he had a headache for the first fews days or something, nothing major).
I think the idea is you have 1 a day and are still allowed to smoke (correct me if i'm wrong) then you take two, therefore and have no cigs and after a day or so of that, your need gradually reduces it.
Having said that, my husband did end up going back to smoking, although a fair while after using the tablet, but to be honest, I don't think he really wanted to give up at the time anyway.
As for the horror stories - that really scared me when he first talked about using it but he was convinced he'd be fine and he was. Defintiely a minority I think.
Good luck!!!

[EngTeach]

I tried this a while back and had no success. Truthfully, I was not working at it and had a lot of relationship turmoil at the time. When you read the side effects of any medication it is quite scary. I am on Paxil and the stories I read on the net have me terrified to try and go off it. My doctor said to stop reading all that crap,that while there are side effects they are almaost always a small minority.

Good Luck with the quitting.

[Lakitu]

Thank you very much Hellie!

My doc has told me to take 1 tablet every day for 2 weeks then on the 15th day increase to 2 tablets per day and that will also be the day I must quit.

I can't get my head around how a tablet will make me not want nictotine though.

The will power is there on my part and I am determined to give it up for good, but I have concerns about what to do with myself when I'm not smoking. Any smoker will agree that a cigarette is like a friend. What will I do when I want 5 minutes away from my PC at work? What will I do after I've finished a meal? Etc. LOL

[Lakitu]

Hi Eng :o)

I wondered if it was a small minority that was screaming the horror stories on the net. I couldn't find a site where anyone had anything good to say about it at all!

Can I ask you, when you were on it, did you feel like the craving for nicotine was gone but you continued to smoke out of habit and / or a form of relaxation while you were stressed about your relationship problems? (I know I smoke when I'm stressing, not necessarily because I crave it)

[chilliwitch]

Hi Lakitu,
I've been giving up using Champix for the past 2 1/2 months(very similar to zyban).I read so many horror stories about these,people commiting suicide etc but truthfully I've been fine apart from bloated stomach and difficulty sleeping sometimes.They work in the same way as zyban,the chemical in the drug blocks the receptors(<think I spelled that right!)in the brain that crave nicotine and gradually I found I didn't want a ciggy.I could smoke for the first 10 days but by day 7 I found they tasted awful!!I've tried patches,gum,inhalators to no success but,touch wood I'm finding this relatively easy and have confidence in myself.Everyone is different,Good luck.

[Lakitu]

Wow, it's almost like a miracle cure! I've tried all the NRT alternatives too, obviously with no success. Congratulations to you!

What do you do with yourself instead of smoke?

[chilliwitch]

I honestly thought it would never work.I smoked everyday for the last 20 years and just couldn't picture myself being a non smoker,thought I'd die without my first in the morning and one after food but I really don't miss it.Occasionally i think"I fancy a ciggy"but the thought goes just as quick as it comes!!I smoked roll ups so I cleaned my tobacco tin out and put mints in it, so psychologically i still had my crutch with me!!and when I get the odd craving i get a mint out of the tin.
I've put on just under 1st in weight as I did start overeating but thats levelled out now.
I think if you put your mind to it you can do it if you really want.
Keep me informed!!!!!

[Lakitu]

I'm exactly the same, I can't imagine myself not smoking, the after food is a concern for me too, I guess I'm just going to have to get up and do my dishes straight away LOL.

Thank you, you've really bolstered me further to kick it for good :o) x

[ChuckFickens]

Nothing constructive to add... but good luck with the giving up, hope it works.

[Lakitu]

Cheers, Chuck :o)

[Tups]

Never been a smoker, thank Goodness, because I don't have to worry about the traumas of trying to give up! Lakitu, if this works, good on you! If it doesn't, please don't give up altogether. It's great you want to take the step and I admire you for it. OK, one step at a time; let's not be pessimistic about this already, but if this fails, just stay on that road to 'addiction recovery' because the end result will be worth it!

[Lakitu]

Thanks, Tups

[ChuckFickens]

Thought I deserved at least one star, tups probably two :)

[Lakitu]

sigh

Just no pleasing some people!

;o)

[Jugglering]

Well done for having a go at giving up !!!! I don't think the actual method you use really matters, the most important thing is to use whatever works for YOU !!!! After two weeks of non-smoking you will start to be able to smell your food again (which is where I think the weight gain often kicks in..lol)...and your system will be free from nicotine.... just keep busy and remind yourself of why you are doing this - so that you will live longer, with a healthy body and no smoker's cough ! Oh... plus you will be back in control of yourself - no watching the clock until you can go and have a fag... YEAH... FREEDOM RULES !!!! Regarding what you do when you no longer smoke... well, you no longer smoke ! It will not bother you and you just get on with your life with nothing wrapped around you tying you back to that fag...