In 13 days (according to the Pharmacist) I will be able to put the cigarettes away for good.

All because I am taking a purple pill twice daily called Wellbutrin (aka Zyban)

My doctor prescribed me that Tuesday, I started taking it on Wednesday. I'm suppose to wait two weeks before stopping smoking.

My questions:

What exactly am I to expect from this pill? Will it tell me not to light up, or am I expecting to still have the nic-fits?

My doctor said that this pill makes it easier to quit, giving me a better chance than gum, patch, etc.

I can not seem to find a site that goes in depth on the smoking part, though many cover the antidepressant aspect of this drug.

Know any good sites on the subject?

Thanks

David

I should also add that though my doctor sent me to a Stop Smoking Program along with the prescription, that program is no longer available.

Is there a specific program with Wellbutrin? Or would that program include everything that I have already learned about the habits of smoking?

[This message was edited by DvdGStwrt on 02-27-04 at 01:21 PM.]
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02-27-04, 02:50 PM
clarebear
I have taken Wellbutrin to quit smoking a few different times. This pill was originally prescribed for depression. It turned out the people taking the pill ended up not smoking. It was found as a non-smoking aide by mistake. When I took it I just didn't want to smoke. It is weird. It takes the craving 100% away. It almost feels as if you just put one out and you just don't want one. It really does work. The reason I quit taking it is that I could not sleep. I had vivid dreams that would keep me awake. It was terrible. I work nights and I need my sleep. I tried to take it while I was awake (which is recommended as opposed to before bedtime). It still made me feel weird. I finally just stopped taking it. If you can get past the sleeplessness then it should work. I also had a weird (hard to explain) nose breathing sensation from it. If you take it, you just won't want to smoke. You won't feel like it. It really does work better than the patch, hypnosis or the gum. (I tried them all) If I ever was to quit again I would do the zyban. Did you go to their site? You should. It really gives you support for quitting. quit smoking with zyban It has tips and lots of great links. It is great and it is free! Good Luck to You David. Don't quit quitting! Smile

02-27-04, 04:13 PM
Fritzzs
After 35 plus years , with my total desire and Zyban I quite smoking.....

I had NONE of the symtons that Clarebear describe... In stead, after one (1) week my cigs started tasting weird and the desire left...by the 10 day I did not even have a desire for one...

That was 7 years ago....

The bad results ???? I can smell every rotten resturant driving down the road.... Yup, gained about 20 pounds....My Rum taste marvalous, gained 20 pounds, coffee taste better, gained 20 pounds ------you get the idea....

Seriously, Zyban really did work for me....Of course, every person is different....

Good luck.....let us know..... Razz

02-27-04, 04:59 PM
honilov
David, I sure hope it works for you. The doctor prescribed Zyban for my husband, but he didn't stop smoking. He took it for about 3 weeks and during those 3 weeks, he got so nervous, started talking to himself and could hardly sleep. It could depends on how much he smoked, which was 2 and 1/2 packs of Kools a day. At the present time, I think he's killing me too, with second hand smoke. If you stop, please let us know. Good luck.

02-27-04, 06:02 PM
clarebear
I forgot about the nervousness. It caused my mouth to be dry too. Keep in mind what works for one person may not work for another. Everyone is different.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by donrent:
After 35 plus years , with my total desire and Zyban I quite smoking....."

Donrent says a lot in the first line of his post. You have to really want to quit. You do need a total desire to quit. Don't forget to check out the link for zyban. Be sure to keep us updated. Smile

02-27-04, 10:16 PM
Sherasi
I got Hand Tremors using Wellbutrin (for depression about 4 years ago).

02-29-04, 01:36 AM
DvdGStwrt
I was already aware of the Side effects, I was just wondering what to expect when it comes to the smoking.

Ya just quit because you don't crave it? Is that right?

D

02-29-04, 08:50 AM
soaringhorse
I think the reason the side effects are mentioned is because there are some very serious ones. Mine was chest pains, ringing in ears, as well as dillusions. I was taking it for over a week, and couldn't handle the chest pains, it didn't do anything for the cravings, I kept on expecting to not want to smoke, and it never happened. Hope it works for you though, get back to us on it, please.

02-29-04, 12:18 PM
honilov
Yeah David, that's what the doctor told my husband, that the cravings would stop.

02-29-04, 04:29 PM
clarebear
When I took it, I just didn't want one. The urge was just gone.

02-29-04, 10:21 PM
Nadca2
I took it last summer and quit for a week. But forgot to take pills on a few occasions I then went out for a few beverages and I was back to smoking. I tried taking it again a month ago. It was working but then I forgot to take the pills so am smoking more again. I have one or two perscriptions left so am gonna try again. I don't sleep well on them or have trouble falling asleep but that they do work. I find that after taking them for a while the cigs just don't taste good. It is almost like you smoked too much. You know that feeling when you chain smoke and they start to taste gross. Well hope it works for you. Good luck. I think I will try taking the pills again tomorrow. Razz

02-29-04, 11:42 PM
DvdGStwrt
Well today they had hardly any taste, sort of like sucking air. I smoked more, trying to get the taste.

Hm.

Well I still have another week to go before I am suppose to quit.

As for the side effects: insomnia, shakes, etc. I already have these so it won't be anything new.

David

03-01-04, 06:33 AM
Fritzzs
"Well I still have another week to go before I am suppose to quit.

With what you wrote above, I don't think you are ready to quit.....

03-04-04, 09:18 AM
DvdGStwrt
Well one week on Wellbutrin and I didn't get a wink of sleep last night, my hands are Shaking and my ears are ringing loudly.

Will these things pass? Or will I have to stop the wellbutrin?

Odd thing, you are not suppose to take this medicine if you have a history of seizures.

Along with the prescription for Wellbutrin my doctor also gave me my prescription for seizure meds.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

03-04-04, 10:10 PM
Sherasi
I had hand tremors and I stopped taking the medication because that is an adverse reaction.

03-05-04, 01:48 AM
SeattleRon
all i tried was the gum. the Gum made me puke.
I barely ever smoke anymore. I probably have like 5 cigarettes a month.

Damn, I need a smoke! BRB

03-06-04, 05:46 PM
soaringhorse
What about the cravings for a cigarette? Is that gone? I am glad you confirmed the ringing in the ears, it was a very annoying side effect. Here is a site that lists the side effects:
Wellbutrin side effects

I did know that it says to not take if you have had seizures, I never had them that I know of except maybe when I one time had a very high fever. But that shouldn't count, right?

Anyways, good luck on this David, I hope you can stop smoking, I couldn't do it. I think I wasn't ready to. The only way I know of stopping is just put your whole mind into it, and take it seriously.....(Cold Turkey). It is really hard to do, but people have done it.

03-08-04, 03:22 PM
Texan-In-Exile
I don't smoke, but 10 years ago, I took part in a clinical trial for Wellbutrin SR, supposed to be less likely to cause seizures than the original. (One of the requirements - besides clinical depression - was that the subject had never had a seizure.)
I have taken that med twice. Both times, the first few weeks I felt stimulated. Then just increasingly tense. After the trial, I declined an additional free supply of the med. I didn't need anymore tension! Roll Eyes

Anyway David - check with your doctor about any adverse side-effects, especially if you don't think it's worth it. You don't want to trade one harmful thing for another.
(But then again, your doc may say you're OK...)
And GOOD LUCK!!! Smile

03-10-04, 11:14 AM
DvdGStwrt
Three hours into my life as a non-smoker. Nothing of interest to report.

The side effects that I had been suffering seem to have faded quite a bit.

03-10-04, 12:14 PM
Sherasi
Congratulations! Keep it up! Smile

04-08-04, 04:00 PM
dogspit
Wellbutrin/Zyban quitting smoking
David, I have been on Wellbutrin XL since
March 13th. I had a couple nightmare weeks,
with irregular sleep, a shaky feeling in my
gullet, and a ringing in my ears. By the
start of the third week, the ringing had
subsided, dreams were not so vivid, and I
finally began to normalize my sleep patterns.

04-09-04, 04:42 AM
NCcichlid
Several months ago I started on the Wellbutrin twice a day and stopped taking it because of the cost (generics are not available at this time) and the vivid dreams. I returned to the doctor and was given samples of Wellbutrin XL. Taking one pill in the morning has stopped the drug induced dreams. Getting free samples from the doctor has eliminated the cost factor.

My insurance company will pay for Wellbutrin if it is prescribed for depression, but not as a stop smoking aid. I've chosen to bypass the insurance company because I do not want the "Depressive Personality" label on my insurance records.

The Wellbutrin has smoothed out my mood swings. I'm not sure that I enjoy this, keeping an even keel through life's daily swells. Until I am certain that I have quit smoking I'll continue with the medication. You are not to have any alcohol while taking Wellbutrin and may experience a reduced sexual drive.

NC <><

04-09-04, 11:49 AM
Tree
As mentioned earlier a couple of times, you must REALLY want to quit, otherwise, you won't succeed. I smoked about 1 & 1/2 packs a day.

I was sick of smoking, set a date quit! I had a carton of cigarettes at home. This may sound stupid, but having cigarettes in the house made it easier to quit for me. You've heard of a person who quits and has tremendous cravings, panics and rushes off to the store in the middle of the night for a package of cigarettes? Well, having them in the house, dealt with that scenario for me. I didn't find the need to panic.

Of course, it was really tough, but I did it without anything more than chewing gum. Coffee made a strong association with cigarettes, so I switched to fruity tea for awhile.

Deal with each craving one at a time and they will eventually become fewer and fewer. It's been about 7 smoke-free years for me now.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not making light of how hard it is to quit - it was REALLY TOUGH, but definately do-able IF you are determined.

Hearing the COST of cigs these days, is enough of an incentive!

Good luck David.

04-17-04, 02:44 AM
DvdGStwrt
Well I'm smoking again. Not unusual I understand, but I am smoking a "light" brand and not a full pack, around ten a day.

I stopped taking the wellbutrin as well - Needed too in order to take another medicine which conflicted with the other. Long story short Doc thought it best if I laid off the wellbutrin until other issues are resolved.

Such is life. LOL Maybe next week I'll try again.

David

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