Prescription Experiences

pamallah

2 posts
Registered:
30 Nov 2017

30 Nov 2017

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I've been smoking since I was 13 (I'm 37 now) and have tried everything under the sun without any long-term success. Am now considering trying Zyban. I did have success with Champix, however, it caused me to become very agitated to the point where I had to stop taking it. What has been your experience(s) taking Zyban?

Note: I'm enrolled to start an official Smoking Cessation Counselling Program offered by my local Health office that runs for 6 weeks so I'm hoping that will aid in my ability to stick with a smoking-cessation solution.

buttingout2014

52 posts
Registered:
29 Nov 2017

30 Nov 2017 in reply to pamallah

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Hey Pamallah;

I'm stoked to hear that you've enrolled into an official "Counselling Program"! These are GREAT, and I expect that this will be a terrific resource for your QUIT arsenal.
It's great to see you here on this forum too - I believe you'll find the members and staff to be an immense valuable resource to help you along the way!

I can't really comment on your questions about Zyban, etc. as this wasn't the particular direction that I took for my own personal QUIT. I believe that some of the other members and/or staff members will likely chime-in with their own recommendations from their experiences.

I was lucky that my decision to opt for the Nicoderm patches seemed to do the trick for me - but everyone's system reacts differently, so your mileage may vary.

I look forward to following your progress and hearing more about your success with the Counselling Program in the days to come!
Good luck - and KEEP THE QUIT!!!
Remember: N.O.P.E. (Not One Puff Ever!)

"If I have just ONE, I'll be right back where I started...Desperately wishing I was where I am today."

- Your QUIT buddy, Jim.

My Mileage:

My Quit Date: 1/27/2014
Smoke-Free Days: 1403
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 35,075
Amount Saved: $15,433.00

[Check out my Online Resources]

lillian, quit coach

216 posts
Registered:
28 Nov 2017

30 Nov 2017

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Hi Pamallah!

Welcome to the community. Signing up for the counselling program is a great idea. The more support and information you have the better off you will be.

Zyban works differently than champix but you do take it in a similar fashion. You start off on a low dose 1 pill a day and then it increases to 2 pills a day, you quit and stay on zyban for about 12 weeks.

It is believed to work by stimulating the same area of the brain that nicotine does. It helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Some listed potential side effects are sleep disruption, headaches, runny nose but that list I am sure will be covered by your doctor and pharmacist to ensure it's the right fit for you.

It has been shown to be helpful, doubling your chances of success.

I hope those that have used it will share their experience with it.

Welcome again to the community,
Lillian

onyx

17 posts
Registered:
29 Nov 2017

04 Dec 2017

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Hi Pamallah!

No matter what path you choose in your quit, keep in mind that it IS possible, and you *can* do it!

I'm not familiar with Zyban, but like any other quit method, it's not for everyone, but there are a lot of people who had success with it. Hopefully you can take it and it helps you a lot.

I'm a Champix success story, even though it made me nauseous every day I was taking it. Yuck. I'm so glad I do not have to go through that again, once was enough, thanks...

All the best, and we're all here for you. Keep rocking!

donl

4 posts
Registered:
13 Dec 2017

17 Dec 2017

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Hi,
I just joined about 2 days ago, but have quit many times. The easiest was the patch, but I had a delayed allergic reaction, which was a nightmare. I woke up one morning with 90% of my body covered in what looked like a cross between smallpox and measles. I had to soak in oatmeal baths. Went on Wellubutrin (sp) two summers ago, and it was hell. I still haven't recovered, if effected my joints, that still bother me big time. Both the doctor and the pharmisct said that wasn't a side effect. It was helping with my depression, I tried going off it twice for 5 or 6 days and joints still hurt like hell.........so finally I found out it takes 11 days to get out of my system, In september on the 12th days of stopping no joint pain at all. It came back, and is only making it harder to quit this time, and has basically destroyed my life.

paul, quit coach

22 posts
Registered:
29 Nov 2017

17 Dec 2017 in reply to donl

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Hi everyone.

It's a shame that these medications have the potential for side-effects, and quite severe ones in some cases. We understand that most people don't have them or that the side-effects are short-lived, but that doesn't help when you're the one going through them.

Hopefully you'll find something that helps and does not cause you more harm in the long run. I guess some side effects are easier to deal with, though months of nausea is no picnic either. Amazing what some people will endure to quit smoking, but we also understand that some side-effects are simply intolerable.

Good luck donl with your quit and with your joint pain. Let's all try to get through the rest of today smoke free. Another day = another victory.

Paul

donl

4 posts
Registered:
13 Dec 2017

23 Jan 2018 in reply to paul, quit coach

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thanks for the kind words.........I logged on today because things are really bad. This has happened over and over in regards to smoking. I'm 57, and have been told and have done so many things, but I'm running out of options. I'm getting really really depressed. We moved to a small Ontario town after I retired, and for various reasons, the main being lack of adequate health care, we have to move. I live in chronic pain (back and neck), and now my joints are so much worse. I know smoking doesn't solve anything, and after I start again within a week I feel like a failure. We've already decided not to move to Kingston, because the city put out a re-locating guide and the health dept. was actually encouraging apt seekers and renters to demand their building go smoke free. I wrote the mayor and health dept. on that one. Now in the news their talking about banning marj. from apt. buildings and many condo boards are changing their bylaws. We live in a detached house, and have a mid-size dog. I can't even imagine moving, then if I have to get rid of our dog, so we stay here, and get stressed out, sicker. The main reason for my starting will be the Ministry of Health, (Ontario) and the Belleville Hospital.

ocean

286 posts
Registered:
29 Nov 2017

23 Jan 2018 in reply to donl

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Hi donl, I hope you get into a treatment program at one of these places, they can really advise and structure a program for you to stop smoking, or reduce your smoking as you get treated for these other things. I was told that smoking is very bad for arthritic conditions, something that I get in my feet and knee's from time to time. I'm nowhere near as suffering as you have been, but I am using the Heart Institute for help as I also have suffered from depressions, so meds and withdrawal can be tricky at times. I'm doing well so far, so wishing the best for you.

treepeo

832 posts
Registered:
29 Nov 2017

24 Jan 2018

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Hi donl,

First I want to say that I am sooo sorry to hear about the hell you have been through and are still going through. I don't know why bad things happen to good people. It is a mystery to me.

As you already know, smoking is not going to help any of your medical problems. It is only going to hurt you and make things worse. So I truly hope you can find a way to quit successfully. Can you access some kind of quit program that others on this site have had success with? Maybe your doctor has some suggestions.

I know quitting is hard, but have you ever considered going cold turkey? Yes, you will have two weeks to about a month of hell to go through, but then you should be free. At least that way, you won't have to worry about the side effects of anything. Just a thought. I know it's not for everyone.

I truly hope things get better for you, donl. Suffering is no fun. Hang in there.

emily, quit coach

255 posts
Registered:
28 Nov 2017

25 Jan 2018

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Hi donl,

Sorry to hear about the issues you have been dealing with. Despite all of this you are still determined to quit and that shows how important quitting is to you.

If you would like extra support as you work on it please feel free to call into Smokers' Helpline at 1-877-513-5333. We can even do a search of your area to see if there are any programs to offer extra help.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Emily

angela72.12

8 posts
Registered:
12 Nov 2018

12 Nov 2018 in reply to onyx

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HI Onyx,
I just noticed that you quit using champix. Did you do the 12 weeks? I've been taking it for 12 days and it's making me so tired, and yes sick as well, BUT it is working as I have no desire to smoke. I'm days away from actually quitting. did you return to normal after finishing champix? thank you so much
Angela

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