quitting smoking...

killbilly

killbilly

Vocals, Lyrics, Triangle, Washboard, Kittens
Doc,

I'm certain over the years you've seen good methods for quitting smoking and bad methods for quitting smoking. What, in your experience, has worked and what hasn't?

I've heard Zyban (bupropion) works for a lot of people, but as it's chemically no different from Wellbutrin, (which is an SSRI) that screws up the medical for a lot of pilots. So is there an alternative? Any other techniques?

I'm a smoker. I'd like to not be one.
 
The best things I have seen are some form of assistance (nicotine patches, Zyban, etc.) coupled with a smoking cessation program (American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, many hospitals) have these to help you.

Smoking cessation is tough. The addiction to nicotine is as bad as cocaine.

Good luck:)
 
Does a smoking cessation program with Zyban as a part of it screw up one's chances of obtaining a class 1 medical?
 
It does not screw up your chances, you just can't fly when you are on the Zyban. If you take Zyban, you should be off the medication for at least 7 days before you fly.
 
My Flight Surgeon said:
It does not screw up your chances, you just can't fly when you are on the Zyban. If you take Zyban, you should be off the medication for at least 7 days before you fly.
Click to expand...

Ah. That's cool. So, I could do the stop smoking program, take the Zyban, and once I'm done with that stuff, off the meds for a while, then I can take the class one med exam. I just have to declare that I was taking it at some point in the past and show them the documentation from my GP. Right?
 
I was interested in trying this until I discovered a new method (not medically proven :)) Start with a few mixed drinks, pref a vodka/redbull. Also chain smoke as much as you can. Down a few beers after the mixers. Follow it up with a shot of tequila. Remember keep smoking. By the end of the night your feeling pretty crappy. Do not hydrate yourself before bedtime. Force one more smoke in before you turn in.
The next morning you are so hungover from booze and smokes you cant stand the site or smell of a cigarette. It will be easy to not smoke on that day and that is a great start to go cold turkey. It worked for me. I havent had a smoke in over 2 weeks :nana2:.
 
What about the injecion for smoking cessation. I can't think of the name of it, but my PCP has signs up in his office offing a shot to help stop smoking.
 
The only FDA approved treatments for smoking cessation (nicotine dependence) include:
Nicotine patches
Nicotine gum
Nicotine lozenges
Inhaled nicotine
Nicotine nasal spray
Bupropion (Zyban) (not FAA approved)
Chantrix (not FAA approved)

There is a vaccine in clinical trials (TA-NIC) that is not FDA approved at this time. The FAA does not approve any experimental agents.

As far as I know, there is no other injection that is generally used (and FDA approved) in the United States for smoking cessation.



I don't know what your doc is advertising but it may be one of the clinical trials for the nicotine vaccine. If you find out, PM me with the info and I will research it for you.
 
Cold Turkey worked for me. (except I like to smoke when I drink, which is not often at all) Good Luck!
 
Cold turkey wasnt even an option I developed a time schedule where the first smoke of the day was delayed for about 5 minutes from the usual time,i use to lightup [as soon as i sat in the car to drive to work] so i refrein from smoking untill i drove at least 5 minutes[ very very tough!] then i would notworry the rest of the day as of when OR HOW MUCH i smoke. I would stay with this routine few days untill it became easier to wait those darn 5 minutes
As time went on i never let up on trying to increase the delays for the first smoke of the day few minutes at the time . It took me a while but i was suprised to see that i was able to hold untill the end of my first 4 hrs shift
When i felt weak and temted i would remind my self that after the holding time i would smoke as much as i wanted !! BUT NEVER BEFORE IT WAS THE TIME I even rationed and save smokes for something special One advatage i never smoke while flying so i did no miss it in the cockpit It took me about 11 month to stop gradually using this kind of mental game
Long old story it is been over 20 yrs SMOKE FREE!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top