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)

[Lakitu]

Thanks for your encouragement, Juggs x

[chattykathy]

How about going for a walk around the block to have a break from the PC and do the same after dinner? This also might help if you do start to over eat! I gave up 2 years ago after 30 years of smoking fags - I used the Allan Carr method - and I feel so proud of myself. Hey and just think you won't have to go outside for a fag in the winter!!
Good luck - I think the trick is not to think about 'giving it up' ie making a sacrifice, but stopping doing something that harms you, costs of loads of money etc

[Therema]

This was the second thing i tried, the first was cold lazer, i stopped with that for 3 yrs my fault i went back to smoking, anyway Zyban i personally thought it was ok as long as i was taking the coursae but when my time was uip i went back to smoking the cravings just came back, but that was just me people are different,i since used NiQuitin CQ patches and have been a non smoker for nearly 5 yrs now but best of luck hope it all goes well for you

[Lakitu]

Previous attempts were because I should, this time my 2 motivators are money and health. I know I will need to keep myself busy, even though it's something I want to do, but you've given me the idea to see what fitness classes are in my area....and of course I'll be able to afford to pay for them :o)

[Lakitu]

Thanks for letting me know your experience of it, Therema. How long did you take them for?

[Therema]

And drink plenty of Vitamin C this helps too

[ChuckFickens]

Or dance classes :)

[Lakitu]

I have the gum ready, Therema, I take vitamin C tablets every morning anyway, I'll make use of the water coolers at work too :o)

That's a good idea, Chuck, hope I don't feel like a plank walking into a class myself LOL :o)

[Jugglering]

Very good advice there from Kathy ! As she says, try to break the routine, so after dinner, do something else instead of either having (or thinking about having) a fag... Do the washing up, go brush your teeth, have a glass of chilled water, go for a walk and admire the stars, ring a mate, etc etc, just do something other than what you normally do.

Also, if you find that you really miss say the fag with the morning cup of coffee, then have a cup of tea or a piece of fruit instead.... break the routine, break the habit !

Speaking from personal experience here, I found having a glass of chilled water and brushing my teeth enough of a distraction (for just the few minutes that the cravings last) to get me through the next few hours.... so take it just one day at a time.

[Lakitu]

I will, Juggs. I prefer those extra few minutes in my bed in the morning so tend not to eat brekkie until I'm in the office so that part won't be a problem, however, the drive to work is usually where the first cigarette is lit.

I've booked my car in to get valeted so she's spik and span and I'll not want to waste that money by stinking it up again. I might even push the boat out and buy a new jelly foot freshner :o) LOL

[Rosetta]

Good luck with giving up Lakitu you will feel so much better. If you start to think of yourself at first as an ex smoker then move onto being a non-smoker. When you get to that stage its amazing how you sense of taste and smell return, and you realise how awful tobacco smokes on you and around you. And how much time and energy you have for more fun
IF tou find you tend to get stressed could you try yoga or pilates, they can be relaxing, it tones you up, help with your breath control when get pannicky and would murder for a fag. The are loads of DVDs, one is bound to suit you plus you can practice it at home. Join a class first, its easier to get support and adice from a teacher than a celebrity video

Good luck and find something that works for you.

[terambulan]

Good luck Lakitu....will be watching to see how you get on.....may follow suit when I've finished my freebies. Am told sucking sweets help, keep some in your car in case ur tempted.

[Jugglering]

Ahhh, I knew there was something I meant to mention last night... after a few days off the fags, you will find that the smell of them (fresh or stale) will bring back all sorts of memories... so you really do need to remove the smell from everywhere... as you are rightly doing in your car for example. Wash all your clothes, soft furnishings, bedding, curtains etc (or get them dry cleaned) and think about getting the carpets steam cleaned or at least dysoned.... The last thing you need when you come in from work after a stressful day is to walk into a house/flat that smells of cigarettes, so try to get your home de-fagged (lol) asap, that will really help. Don't forget your coats, jackets and any winter gear that you don't often wear. After I'd given up for a couple of years, I got out my super Rab jacket (serious cold weather gear, rarely needed) and I was horrified to find that it smelled of (old) cigarettes !

[Lakitu]

Thank you Rosetta, Teram and Juggs.

Thank you Juggs, I hadn't thought about all the clothes I haven't worn for a while - nor my curtains. Sorting all of that out will take a weekend, and what better way to keep myself busy :o) x

[pbeach]

Just a few hints - I too am currently on Champix, having smoked non-stop for 20+ years....

The effect is interesting, basically your craving for nicotine is removed, and although you are allowed to smoke for the fist 10 days or so - you end up not wanting to. Cigarettes taste crap, so eventually you just don't bother. By Day 10 you should stop smoking altogether, and keep on taking the tablets.

There are a lot of horror stories re. Champix on the net, and I have read quite a few of them. But the only side effects I have had, are some nausea and headaches. So I plan to get off the Champix as fast as I can.

I am now well into my 3rd day of not smoking.

[Lakitu]

I'm only on my 4th day of taking Zyban so still smoking as is recommended and already I've noticed I'm not enjoying them. I don't know if it's psychological, but it's starting to work anyway.

If I get a headache or nausea, it'll be worth it to finally give it up properly and for good.

How are you feeling without them?

[pbeach]

You miss them or at least you think you miss them. I was in the habit of using a cigarette as a break from my work (computing). Now I can't, so what I do is grab a sugar free mint or something similar and go for a quick walk around the block....

However my sense of taste is coming back :-) and the wife thinks I am doing great... its possible I might put some weight on, so we are planning to do more exercise than usual. (we enjoy walking).

The money I am saving, by not smoking, I am making a mental tally of it, and at some point will treat us to a decent meal out somewhere.

[Lakitu]

I sit at the computer all day and wondered what to do instead of going outside for one, no way am I going around the block, I'm in Aberdeen and we've got sleet here already LOL, but I might go and natter to colleagues instead - with a mint :o)

I worked out I'd be saving circa �170 per month but I know it will be more than that as the only reason I go to the bank during the week is to take out money for cigs, the rest of the money is usually frittered away on other things I don't even need. I'm looking forward to not being skint, that's for sure.