About Christine Rowley Expertise I am able to answer questions about smoking cessation aids, both prescription and non-prescription. I am well versed in a wide area of smoking cessation ranging from preparation for quitting smoking through application of coping skills to battle cravings and urges to smoke. I have personally been quit cold turkey for 5+ years after smoking for 30+ years.
Experience I am the expert Guide for Smoking Cessation at About.com for 3+ years and had another site on Smoking Cessation for two years prior to that. I answer questions about smoking cessation almost daily from Emails and forums and write articles on this subject as well.
Question Hi, I think I'm going to need some help. Have been on Zyban for 9 days and find I'm becoming very grouchy. How long should I take it and can I take it along with the nicotine patch. I plan to start the patch on Monday. (hopefully)
I have to quit this 35 year habit but don't want to. This is my first real try.
Thanks
Jan
Answer Hi Jan,
Zyban should make your quit easier for you, helping to squelch the worst of the cravings from withdrawals. It is especially helpful when you combine Zyban with another quitting aid, such as the patch. Experts say that the success rate is greater when there is a combination. You should also have a support group to make it an even better chance you'll stay quit. I'd recommend About.com's Ash Kickers at http://forums.about.com/ab-quitsmoking/start/
a support Forum for help, answers, tips and friendship for Ash Kickers.
I believe if you go there and look around, you will find that the main ingredient for a successful quit is the "want" to quit. Having to quit makes it harder. You only have to stick it out one day... today, whatever day you quit, that is. But "Wanting to quit" gives you motivation.
WHY do you want to quit? Write all the answers you can think of that apply to you. Keep it and add to it every chance you get. When you quit, you'll see that you have a pretty good list and that you actually do want to quit, after all.
Jan, you CAN do it... I know you can.. just work on wanting to quit for now and scout around at the forum to see all the questions and answers available. You might also want to read my article on Zyban and other quitting aids, http://quitsmoking.about.com/library/weekly/aa060898.htm
Hang in there and never give up quitting. It often takes more than one or two tries, sometimes more. If you really want it, it can happen for you. Christine
Smoking Cessation Guide... About.com http://quitsmoking.about.com
