Zyban????

[irishbosoxfan]

Ok here's the deal-I am 33 about to be 34 in 11 days I started smoking at 14 so I have been smoking for 20 years(Holy Crap--just figured that out!)That's more than 1/2 my life.
I have taken probably 8 smoking cessation classes and even taught it back in 1988/1989 and I've done hypnosis all to no avail.
For those who've done or are doing Zyban with a track record like mine---What luck if any have you had? What was the process like for you? Any nasty side effects I should know about? How was waking up in the morning? I heard when you quit you can hardly breathe in the A.M,is this true?
Obviously I'm nervous about this so any info anyone has please please please send it my way--I really need to quit and hope that this time I'll actually be able to do it!!!!!!!!!

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Bump!!-----HELP!!!

 

[kikakeko]

I quit last year (WOW that was very cool typing that). I didn't use Zyban but I used Wellbutrin and a low dose patch. I had a lot easier time of it then my DH. Not saying it was easy. He has started closet smoking again like I wouldn't know but has now bought patches to use again. I have gained some weight(15 lbs) but in general I feel much better. I can now run on the treadmill and I could never do that before. Good luck!

 

[Evil Genius]

Mty dh used zyban about 4yrs ago. He followed the dr.'s direction to the tee. He hasn't smoked since. Like you he started young and had tried everything else under the sun. He never had any problems with his breathing in the mornings. My advice don't take any shortcuts, even if you feel like you don't need the pills anymore continue as the dr directed.

Best of luck to you.

 

[sweet angel]

Okay, here goes.

I quit smoking 6 months ago. I started when I was 18 and quit at 39. I used Wellbutrin (same thing as Zyban). Prior to that I had quit a couple times (when I got pregnant, when I had bronchitis) and started again. I tried hypnosis, but thought it would be cool to see if the hypnosis made the cigarettes taste yucky...it didn't.

My doctor, in an effort to get me to quit, gave me the prescription last February. I wasn't interested, but held onto the script.

I decided that I was ready to quit in August. Took the Wellbutrin for a week before (they recommend 2 weeks) and one week after (I actually forgot to take it one day and felt fine). I had ZERO problems. ZERO cravings (even while drinking). The first few days were weird because, although I had no interest in smoking, I wasn't quite sure what to do with my time.

The biggest questions are:
1) Do you WANT to quit?
2) Are you ready to quit?

Stop saying, "I'm trying to quit." If people ask you if you're trying, tell them, "No, I've quit." There is NO TRYING -- YOU CAN DO IT.

I kept picturing Rob Schneider from all the Adam Sandler movies yelling "YOU CAN DO IT!"

Good luck. PM me if you need support.

 

[luvdzne]

Both my DIL's quit several years ago using Zyban. They haven't touched a cig since. They can't even stand the smell now. Good luck

 

[DawnCt1]

Zyban is exactly the same as Welbutrin. The difference is; most insurances will NOT pay for Zyban, they will pay for Welbutrin. It is very effective in addressing cigarette smoking addiction and most people tolerate it well. It gave my oldest DS (27) stomach cramps. That is an unfortunate side effect and he wasn't able to tolerate it.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

The first few days were weird because, although I had no interest in smoking, I wasn't quite sure what to do with my time.

The biggest questions are:
1) Do you WANT to quit?
2) Are you ready to quit?

Stop saying, "I'm trying to quit." If people ask you if you're trying, tell them, "No, I've quit." There is NO TRYING -- YOU CAN DO IT.

I kept picturing Rob Schneider from all the Adam Sandler movies yelling "YOU CAN DO IT!"

Good luck. PM me if you need support.

I feel like I could be the same way-not quite sure what to do--I smoke ALOT-I wake up, lite up, put the kettle on for tea, pee-same routine for almost 20 yrs-Not sure what to do if there's no cigarette---Afraid I'll light up just because it's what I'm used to doing As for wanting to quit--Hell yes been wanting for a LOOONNNGGG time-And like I said I tried everything,cold turkey,patch,hypnosis this will be my first time w/the meds.
I'm ready to quit getting to old to not be able to break a habit-I want my kids to see me run like I was still on the track team in high school setting school records(well maybe not run that well again but somewhere close)-I want to not worry about having a heart attack from raking the lawn-I want to be w/my DH physically and not be winded after a couple of minutes and not need a "breather" to catch my breath
So many reasons to quit and no good reasons to continue smoking

 

[sweet angel]

I feel like I could be the same way-not quite sure what to do--I smoke ALOT-I wake up, lite up, put the kettle on for tea, pee-same routine for almost 20 yrs-Not sure what to do if there's no cigarette---Afraid I'll light up just because it's what I'm used to doing As for wanting to quit--Hell yes been wanting for a LOOONNNGGG time-And like I said I tried everything,cold turkey,patch,hypnosis this will be my first time w/the meds.
I'm ready to quit getting to old to not be able to break a habit-I want my kids to see me run like I was still on the track team in high school setting school records(well maybe not run that well again but somewhere close)-I want to not worry about having a heart attack from raking the lawn-I want to be w/my DH physically and not be winded after a couple of minutes and not need a "breather" to catch my breath
So many reasons to quit and no good reasons to continue smoking

If you honestly WANT to quit and are ready, you will do it.

Visit quitnet.com for tips. They also have milestone certificates you can print out. They show several stages to quitting -- including pre-quitting.

Dawn is right about Zyban and Wellbutrin being the same thing. My doc prescribed the Wellbutrin for exactly the reason she stated, except my insurance STILL didn't cover it. Oh well...I'm still glad I got it.

YOU CAN DO IT!!

 

[irishbosoxfan]

How long did it take to quit once you started the medication? I go on monday to pick up my prescription and was wondering if i start it monday where abouts do you normally become smoke free?

And SWEET I truly do appreciate you words of encouragement as for the "YOU CAN DO IT" I think that's going to be burned in my brain--I actually gave a little laugh!!

 

[sweet angel]

I think the directions say to take it for 2 weeks before stopping. I was confident (yeah, and a bit cocky and impatient) so I stopped after a week. Read the directions, check out quitnet.com, and PICTURE Rob Schneider...

YOU CAN DO IT!

 

[MoniqueU]

I had a very bad reaction to wellbutrin. It was like giving me speed. I was cleaning the house like a tweaker, forgetting where I left important things. I had to be held down til I could calm down. I had to go off the stuff almost immediately. I know another girl that had a similar reaction and ended up in the ER. It does work for some, but not for all.

 

[mainewmn]

Here are our quitting stories.

DH (32) started smoking when he was 12! Yes, that’s right 12, towards the end he was smoking up to 3 packs a day. He would wake up in the middle of the night to smoke, he smoked while he ate, he smoked while drinking coffee he smoked no matter what he was doing. I honestly never approached him about quitting or cutting down because I did not think he could handle it. On December 31, 2004 I asked him what his New Years resolution was going to be and he said he was quitting smoking. I was surprised but happy. He did it cold turkey, no patches, no pills, no nothing, he just quit! To keep him on the right track he took the money he would have spend on cigarettes and brought himself a new quad, that his reward for doing this and it also keeps him focused on putting the money towards it rather then spending it ales where.

I (32) started smoking when I was 15 but didn’t REALLY start smoking till I was 18. I smoked about a pack a day. I quit many times, over and over again. I quit when I was pregnant for both my kids and had no problems with doing so even tough I started smoking right after I had each one of them. For some reason I keep starting up again. The thought of quitting was on my mind for quite some time when DH announced he was quitting. I thought “what a perfect time for both of us to quit and be supportive of one another”. That was a mistake! Not only did we get on one another’s nerves, truth be told I wanted to quit but I didn’t want to give up my cigarettes at that time. SO while DH managed to kick the habit I continued smoking. Then if finally hit me one day when I realized that, I wanted to quit more then I wanted to keep smoking so I took the bullet and quit. I quit exactly like DH, just stopped. I changed my day so I didn’t notice the fact I missed the cigarettes so much. I started walking, I switched from coffee to tea, filled the house and car with hard candy, avoided people that smoked etc. etc. To help keep my encouraged I put the money I would spend on the cigarettes in to a jar. It was amazing to see that jar growing. I told myself I could use that $ for myself only and it had to be something fun. I ended using it for my first ever pedicure, and other stuff that wore just for me. And now I am happy to report I have not smoked for over a year!

I feel so much better and although I did gain 25 lbs during this process I feel healthier then I did before. Quitting is not easy, but its so much better for you then smoking. I am amazed that DH and I both managed to kick the habit and I am convinced that if we can do it ANYONE can. Also I finally understand why I kept smoking even tough I quit over and over before. That’s because each time I quit I was not ready to quit. This last time I wanted to quit so much more then I wanted a cigarette no matter how bad the craving got. Wheter you choose to go with the pills, patch, gum, or whatever when you are ready you will be able to do it!

 

[mum4jenn]

My dh used Zyban and it worked great for him. He smoked for a LONG time and also smoked ALOT!!! He was probably smokingat least 3 CARTONS a week!! He has now been smoke free for over 8 years. He is now one of those radical NON smokers and refuses to be anywhere near any smoke.

Dh was ready mentally to quit and he says he still dreams about smoking and he says that if he was to light up and take one puff he probably would start up again.

 

[sweet angel]

Well, did you decide to quit? Did you fill the prescription? Give us an update!!

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Ok I went yesterday morning and had my appt w/ the doc he was cool and said if I had any probs just call him up(That would be during business hours only of course lol)-I received my prescription went and filled it and took my first pill right there in the car---I take 1 pill a day for 3 days then I start taking 2 pills a day till I'm smoke free/nicotine free which the doc said most ppl average between 7 to 12 weeks on the medicine--My quit date is Saturday,I figure by then the Zyban will be totally in my system and why put off quitting any longer--Tomorrow I will be buying some stop smoking patches because doc said there is a higher quit rate when you utilize both and to go with that more ppl stay quit when using both----He also told me that if I smoke with the patch on I will die from nicotine overdose so I figure you cant get a better reason than that to not smoke!!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping to join the healthy bunch in a few weeks!!!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!

 

[maelcu]

My dh and I just quit smoking its been since friday. Here is link that has and is really really helping me.

http://www.quitsmokingonline.com/

There is some great information on that site plus they will send you emails everyday for 21 days to help you out.

 

[Shugardrawers]

I finally quit 24 days ago. I took the wellbutrin (same as zyban) for 10 days until I noticed I was smoking a LOT less. Then I set my quit date. I'm also doing the patch. At first, yes, it's really hard to figure out what to do instead of smoking. I would sit here at the computer and smoke while checking my messages boards and stuff. I had to stay away from the computer for a while until I could sit here easily. There are still times every day I want a smoke and it takes a conscious effort not to but I'm getting there. The real bonus is that Dh has stopped smoking in the house altogether and has cut back from a 2 pack a day habit to just under 1 pack. For him that's quite an accomplishment. He's not sure if he's ready to quit but he won't smoke around me at least. I know when he's headed out for one because he suddenly asks Petey if he needs to go potty

The thing that really motivated me to quit wasn't health related at all. I have cancer and have been undergoing treatments for a year now. The doc could never convince me to quit. The real deciding factor was when I was sitting in my car outside Walmart one day waiting for Dh and smoking a cigarette. I was suddenly very embarassed when people would look over to see where the smoke was coming from! I don't know why really, I just was. That's when it dawned on me that I didn't just want to quit, I didn't want to smoke anymore. There's a difference.

I haven't fallen off the wagon even once although I really think about it and am tempted to. It doesn't come easy and you have to decide every time you get a craving that you'll just wait it out. It gets better but it does take a while. You're welcome to PM me if you need support from someone who's just a few days ahead of you in the process. Good Luck!!!

 

[maelcu]

I have wanted to quit for some time now but with dh smoking I just couldn't bring myself to stop....I just wasn't commited to it. While working on our taxes last week I figured up how much money we were spending!!!! OMG 3816.96 a year here is what I thought we really like to take cruise vacations and that would pay for one plus alot more.

While I was doing all this my dd was watching princess dairies 2 the part where her father says that courage isnt the abence of fear just that something else is more important. That did it for me. I have many more things important to me than smoking.

When dh got home I explained to him the money we were spending and that I was going to quit no matter what .....He looked at me and said good me too. I never dreamed he would quit with me but I am soooo glad he is.

 

[sweet angel]

Good luck to all of you!

YOU CAN DO IT!!

ETA to add some incentive:
Here's my stats from quitnet.com:
Your Quit Date is: 8/28/2005 11:00:00 PM

Time Smoke-Free: 197 days, 10 hours, 40 minutes and 24 seconds
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 3949
Lifetime Saved: 1 month, 3 hours
Money Saved: $1,019.70