Zyban

[Aerodive]

I'm considering starting zyban in one form or another to help stop smoking and help relieve seasonal affective disorder. Would this bar me from diving or have any diving related problems?

[gerbil]

Don't know if it would according to any doctors. I would however tell you about my experience of Zyban. Been on it about 1-2 weeks driving along pulled up to a roundabout with traffic lights. Looke at the lights and thought, "oh there red, ok." Put my foot down and set off right on through the lights. Halfway round i suddenly realised what i'd done - good thing was i had no desire to pull over and have a fag.

[Ivon]

I have gad a bad experience using Zyban and briving as well, had to stop in the middle of the road as I thought I was driving up a steep incline, even though I knew the road in question very well, and knew it was flat.

There is a new product out called Champix;

Anti-smoking drug triples success | Science | The Guardian

[Daz217]

Hi,
Thought about this method of smoking cessation aswell. I discussed it with ny GP who informed me that the drug was in fact an antidepressant and there was a risk albiet small of seizures. I decided it wasn't for me for various reasons including Diving,Driving and Work related issues. I have pasted DAN's take on it FYI.



Other antidepressants such as Wellbutrin(r) or Zyban(r) (generic name for both is bupropian), Desyrel(r) (generic name: trazodone) and Effexor(r) (generic name: venlafaxine) may produce seizures or seizure activity by lowering the seizure threshold. Additionally, fainting, excitability and difficulty breathing are among the rare side effects of venlafaxine. Bupropian may have side effects of agitation, CNS stimulation, seizures, psychosis, dry mouth, headache, migraine, nausea, vomiting, rash, tinnitus, muscle pain and dizziness. Obviously, a diver with these symptoms could experience safety risks. For divers, there is little available research about diving with depression or diving while taking antidepressants. When divers taking CNS medications report problems while diving, most commonly complain of anxiety or even panic: this is thought to be caused by the interaction of high partial pressures of nitrogen and the side effects of the drugs. The diver should discuss the possibility of seizures with a doctor.

[gwilson]

I tried Zyban a few years ago to stop smoking and I wouldnt recommend it even to my ex wife!!!!!!!!!!!!

I felt awful on it, couldnt sleep bar for a few hours after a 11hr shift then lay in bed wide awake and was shattered for work, not good. I also tried laser therapy that was crap too, the only thing that works for me is patches and bloodymindness to stop.

[Matt-75]

I used it twice for quitting, the first time can be summarised by three sets of events. Very weird dreams, waking up and talking to someone who wasnt there for 30 mins, and stood at a tram stop contemplating whether to throw myself in front of it.

Second time, involved a family ruck where my brother and i went at it for about 20 mins in front of my parents over some totally stupid reason i cant even remember.

Third quit attempt i used NRT.

...and im still a non smoker.

Dont dive on Zyban unless you have a death wish. Its bad enough on the surface, i wouldnt want to risk it while diving.

[edit]

Didnt see you were looking for something to relieve SAD as well, but i'd try anything but Zyban.

Use the Patches Luke.

[Aerodive]

Thanks for the info
I have considered "giving in" and using antidepressants before, but was aware that they may prevent me from diving. This would be counter-productive as i often say "fcuk the lot of you!" and go to the red sea when i get too "black" in england.
Stopping smoking would have been used as a cover to prevent the depression going on my medical records and causing all sorts of work (civil engineering) and insurance problems.
It looks like i'm better sticking to promising people "a slow and painful death with my own bare hands!" when life gets to me.

Which pervert placed christmas right next to the shortest, darkest f**kin day of the year??

[SilvaFish]

Have you tried the Bach's Flower Rescue remedies?

As others have said, I wouldn't touch antidepressants with a bargepole, especially with diving. Otherwise, if you're anything like me, who can't prise open their eyes before 9am on a work morning on these darker days, then the days seem to get longer far quicker than they got dark! (Poor Australian's, lol!)

Good luck with it, and the smoking; I am in the same boat...

[gerbil]

For the smoking the ONLY thing that seemed to work finally was Niquitin Lozenges ( Stop smoking with NiQuitin. NiQuitin Lozenges. ), a disaproving wife and shed load of will power.

For SAD how about one of them UV lights SAD lightbox, SAD lightboxes, SAD light therapy - The SAD Lightbox Company

[Silent Diver]

Im no expert but I do know for a fact that in the RAF if you take Zyban to stop smoking you are automaticly medicaly downgraded for a minimum of 6 months, (ie no promotions, no detachments), as you are then classed as unfit to handle weapons due to its possible side effects.

I would definately not dive if I was taking it but thats just me as I said im no expert.