Information and opinions on COPD from reB at COPDConnection.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/15070 http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/15070/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/15070 http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/15070/22405/free-part Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:25:00 -0400 reB It is over two months since I last puffed on a cigarette. Last week I stepped down from 21 mg. of nicotine (Step One) to 14 mg. (Step Two) and I definitely feel the 7 mg. difference.  I am not going to sugar coat this journey~~ there are days when I want a cigarette so bad, I could scream. Yet, the Warrior in me stays fortified and counseled by GOD ~~which keeps me ‘Standing Smoke Free'.  Well, let's get to some of the... http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/15070/22405/free-part http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/15070/22220/free-part Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:55:00 -0400 reB Standing Smoke Free - Part FourThe addict in me had joined up with the INCNC stood in my face laughing as they received their satisfaction with each puff ~~with each hit. I walked around feeling defeated for a few weeks, but I had to move on.  I was going to school full time and my unemployment benefits were quickly running out ~~ I had to keep moving forward. The warrior in me knew each battle fought, either won or not, gave bounty. As I... http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/15070/22220/free-part http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/15070/22219/free-part Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:50:00 -0400 reB Now with almost two weeks of being smoke free, I was going to lie to myself. I wasn't feeling any better nor were the withdrawal symptoms lessening. The free nicotine patches from NYS were starting to leave darker circles on my arms and chest. They caused the area where applied to itch and fell off at times. Still, I had convinced myself, if I could make it a month~~ I'd be fine. Yet, the INCNC was growing stronger. It seemed their... http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/15070/22219/free-part http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/15070/21487/free-part-2 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:24:00 -0400 reB  Ok, I am free of going on my daily to every other day hunting expedition for a fresh pack of Virginia Slims Super Slims Menthol then finding none ~~ settling for Capri Menthol Lights. Not having to shell out over $5.00 a day for a pack of cigarettes unless I had coupons. Now, I was buying gum, peppermints and more books. My patches were free, so I was a bit "richer". My body was changing ~~ instead of breathing freely, my... http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/15070/21487/free-part-2 http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/15070/21163/free-part Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:52:00 -0500 reB I have smoked without any serious smoking cessation since the age of 15 until January 14/15 of this year.   In 2004 and 2005 I suffered from bouts of pneumonia which became antibiotic resistant and took months to get rid of.  I still smoked during these time---when I was awake.   So, during my second bout of pneumonia I attempted to stop smoking.  My job was eliminated in November of '05 while I was home... http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/15070/21163/free-part