I’ve been on 2-times-per-day 150mg Zyban for just shy of three weeks now as a stop smoking aid. Zyban, of course, is Wellbutrin, so we’re on the same dosage of the same medicine.
I went to see my doctor before this quit-smoking attempt – all other attempts were on my own. The only reason I went to my doctor was because the insurance company told me I had to if I wanted the patches to be covered with my prescription coverage. I’d already decided against the Zyban based on the seizure reports and the do-not-drink warnings.
So in the discussion with my doctor, I told him I was ready and prepared to quit smoking, but wasn’t ready to give up tequila, homebrew, and Blue in addition to it. He convinced me not to worry: Seizures seem to be a significant risk only for those with a history of seizures. Alcohol, he said, would only be a problem for heavy drinkers (you know, the type of people you whisper about saying, “he’s a drinker”). In some people, the intensity of the alcohol can be amplified – this was the case for me initially, but now I’m over it.
You said you’d consult a doctor, so do it. It should turn out to be a relief for you. It’d be tough being in Vegas without taking advantage of the free drinks. On the other hand, don’t be tempted to smoke!
So I’m going to go off topic since I abused my newsgroup connection and can’t get to alt.support.non-smoking for another four months (!!!): I’m on day 9 and feelin’ fine. Haven’t touched a cigarette in 9 days. And I truly do feel good about it. And the only thing I can possibly attribute it to is the Zyban. In previous quit attempts with the patch alone (and the gum, and the inhaler bought in Mexico without a prescription), I’d soon be jittery, then I’d do just about anything to secure a cigarette. I don’t feel that way at all now. Sure, once in a great while I still reach for my shirt pocket, but that’s just the habit – not real desire. Sometimes, though, I have the desire, but it’s sooooo easy to fight off this time. I wish to God I’d tried the Zyban before; and I never did because of all of the alcohol warnings.
If you don’t know, you’re supposed to start the Zyban from seven to 10 days before your quit date, and continue smoking while it builds up in your system. Even the last couple of days, I just didn’t find the cigarettes enjoyable. At all. I kind of forced myself to smoke just to alleviate the withdrawal anxiety. Now there’s none of that. I think the only thing I have to fight is the nostolgia of it.