Ask Ayurveda

FREE! Just write your question
— get answers from Best Ayurvedic doctors
No chat. No calls. Just write your question and receive expert replies
1000+ doctors ONLINE
#1 Ayurveda Platform
Ask question for free
00H : 10M : 53S
background image
Click Here
background image
General Medicine
Question #19185
303 days ago
688

Diabetic - #19185

Rajoshi

I am 50 I am diabetic since 12 yrs but now my H1Abc is 11 I am getting tingling all obver pls help me out . I am over weight I am doing intermittent fasting of 14 hrs fasting window. So please tell me what to do . Is intermittent fasting good for sugar

Age: 50
Chronic illnesses: Diabetic
FREE
Question is closed

Doctor-recommended remedies for this condition

FREE! Ask an Ayurvedic Doctor — 24/7, 100% Anonymous
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
CTA image

Doctors' responses

Hello Firstly don’t do intermittent fasting Avoid simple carbohydrates food try millets Fenugreek seeds flax seeds each 1 teaspoon fry it then powder it store it . 1/2tsf powder with glass of hot water in empty stomach in morning or before 1 hour of breakfast do this for alternate days for 15 days . And start ayurvedic medicine 1) madhunashini tab1-0-1 before food 2) arogyavardini vati 1-0-0 after food

For more details regarding diet and further treatment contact me on 9743512999 Dr.Nikitha

240 answered questions
15% best answers
Accepted response

0 replies

Namaste Rajoshi Ji,

Thank you for reaching out. Before providing guidance, I would like to ask a few important questions: 1. Do you experience tingling more in your feet and hands or all over the body? 2. Have you checked your Vitamin B12 and D levels? (Deficiency can contribute to tingling). 3. Are you on insulin or oral medications for diabetes? 4. Do you experience excessive thirst, fatigue, or frequent urination? 5. What is your daily diet and exercise routine like?

Your HbA1c of 11 indicates poor blood sugar control, which could be causing diabetic neuropathy.Ayurveda focuses on balancing Kapha and Vata dosha to improve nerve function, regulate blood sugar, and manage weight. • Methi (Fenugreek) Seeds – Soak 1/2tsp overnight & chew in the morning – Lowers blood sugar naturally. • Triphala Churna – ½ tsp at bedtime with warm water • Neem & Karela Juice (20 ml each morning on an empty stomach) Intermittent fasting (14-hour fasting window) can be beneficial, but: ✔ Break your fast with high-fiber, protein-rich foods (Moong dal, paneer, nuts, or seeds). ✔ Avoid high-carb or sugary foods immediately after fasting, as it can cause a sudden sugar spike. ✔ Include more fiber (greens, whole grains, flaxseeds) to improve insulin sensitivity. ✔ Drink warm water with lemon or fenugreek seeds before breaking fast to aid digestion. • Daily walking for at least 30 minutes – Improves insulin function. • Practice Pranayama (Anulom Vilom, Bhastrika) daily to reduce stress and balance sugar levels. • Soak feet in warm water with rock salt at night to ease tingling and nerve pain.

3805 answered questions
40% best answers

0 replies

Hello Mrs Rajoshi, Your HbA1c of 11% indicates poorly controlled diabetes, and tingling all over suggests diabetic neuropathy due to nerve damage from high sugar levels. Since when did the tingling start? Do you experience burning sensations, numbness, or weakness in your feet or hands? Intermittent fasting can help with blood sugar control, but long fasting windows may cause blood sugar fluctuations, especially if your diet isn’t balanced.

Try Ayurvedic herbs like Vijaysar Churna (1 tsp twice daily with warm water) and Madhunashini Vati (1 tablet twice daily before meals) to support sugar metabolism. Abhyanga (oil massage with Mahanarayan Taila or Dhanwantharam Taila) can help improve circulation and reduce tingling. Avoid processed carbs and excess dairy, and include fenugreek seeds, bitter gourd juice, and cinnamon in your diet. Keep a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) if possible to track sugar variations during fasting. Have you checked for vitamin B12 deficiency, as it can worsen neuropathy?

11913 answered questions
78% best answers

0 replies
Dr. Harsha Joy
Dr. Harsha Joy is a renowned Ayurvedic practitioner with a wealth of expertise in lifestyle consultation, skin and hair care, gynecology, and infertility treatments. With years of experience, she is dedicated to helping individuals achieve optimal health through a balanced approach rooted in Ayurveda's time-tested principles. Dr. Harsha has a unique ability to connect with her patients, offering personalized care plans that cater to individual needs, whether addressing hormonal imbalances, fertility concerns, or chronic skin and hair conditions. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Harsha is a core content creator in the field of Ayurveda, contributing extensively to educational platforms and medical literature. She is passionate about making Ayurvedic wisdom accessible to a broader audience, combining ancient knowledge with modern advancements to empower her clients on their wellness journeys. Her areas of interest include promoting women's health, managing lifestyle disorders, and addressing the root causes of skin and hair issues through natural, non-invasive therapies. Dr. Harsha’s holistic approach focuses on not just treating symptoms but addressing the underlying causes of imbalances, ensuring sustainable and long-lasting results. Her warm and empathetic nature, coupled with her deep expertise, has made her a sought-after consultant for those looking for natural, effective solutions to improve their quality of life. Whether you're seeking to enhance fertility, rejuvenate your skin and hair, or improve overall well-being, Dr. Harsha Joy offers a compassionate and knowledgeable pathway to achieving your health goals.
298 days ago
4.83

Hi Rajoshi,

Thank you for sharing your details. It seems your blood sugar is not well controlled, which might be causing the tingling sensation. Can you tell me if you’ve noticed any other symptoms, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, or fatigue? How are your eating habits during your eating window, and do you focus on consuming low glycemic, high-fiber foods? Intermittent fasting can help some people with blood sugar management, but it’s important to also monitor your diet closely and manage stress levels, as these can impact blood sugar.

13739 answered questions
68% best answers

0 replies

Ah, dealing with diabetes can be quite a journey, especially with high HbA1c like 11. That means sugar’s been a bit high over the past few months, so let’s see how we can navigate it. Tingling you mentioned could be a sign of neuropathy, you know, nerve damage from high sugar levels. It’s essential to address that, so consider speaking with a healthcare professional if it gets worse.

Intermittent fasting? Well, it’s an interesting approach. For some people, fasting like you do, 14-hour window, can help with insulin sensitivity. But, you gotta be cautious too. It’s about balance not just skipping meals. Your fasting mustn’t lead to huge variances in sugar levels. So, pay attentive head to how your body’s responding. Make sure your meals are nutritionally dense when you eat.

For diabetes management through Ayurveda, let’s think about Kapha dosha, as it might be dominant if there’s weight gain. Foods that are light, warm, and cooked would be helpful. Try including things like barley, millets, and green leafy veg, you know, stuff high in fiber. They’re gonna help slow sugar absorption. Spices like turmeric or cinnamon can support as well; they’re warming and aid digestion.

Pay attention to your dinacharya too—your daily routine. Gentle exercises or yoga in the morning can boost circulation and manage weight. Meditation or pranayama, breathing exercises, might also help balance your stress levels, which can cause sugar spikes otherwise.

Oh, and don’t rush it! Give your body time to adjust to these new habits. Well, sometimes we expect magic, but consistency’s key. Anyway, monitor your blood sugars regularly, and please talk to your doctor especially if your symptoms worsen or if you want to make significant changes in managing your health. Better safe than sorry, right?

1742 answered questions
27% best answers

0 replies
Speech bubble
FREE! Ask an Ayurvedic doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymous

600+ certified Ayurvedic experts. No sign-up.

About our doctors

Only qualified ayurvedic doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.


Related questions

Doctors online

Dr. Ravi Chandra Rushi
I am working right now as a Consultant Ayurvedic Ano-Rectal Surgeon at Bhrigu Maharishi Ayurvedic Hospital in Nalgonda—and yeah, that name’s quite something, but what really keeps me here is the kind of cases we get. My main focus is managing ano-rectal disorders like piles (Arsha), fistula-in-ano (Bhagandara), fissure-in-ano (Parikartika), pilonidal sinus, and rectal polyps. These are often more complex than they look at first, and they get misdiagnosed or overtreated in a lotta places. That’s where our classical tools come in—Ksharasutra therapy, Agnikarma, and a few other para-surgical techniques we follow from the Samhitas...they’ve been lifesavers honestly. My work here pushes me to keep refining surgical precision while also sticking to the Ayurvedic core. I do rely on modern diagnostics when needed, but I won’t replace the value of a well-done Nadi Pariksha or assessing dosha-vikruti in depth. Most of my patients come with pain, fear, and usually after a couple of rounds of either incomplete surgeries or just being fed painkillers n antibiotics. And I totally get that frustration. That’s why I combine surgery with a whole support plan—Ayurvedic meds, diet changes, lifestyle tweaks that actually match their prakriti. Not generic stuff off a handout. Over time, I’ve seen that when people follow the whole protocol, not just the procedure part, the recurrence drops a lot. I’m quite particular about follow-up and wound care too, ‘cause we’re dealing with delicate areas here and ignoring post-op can ruin outcomes. Oh and yeah—I care a lot about educating folks too. I talk to patients in OPD, sometimes give community talks, just to tell people they do have safer options than cutting everything out under GA! I still study Shalya Tantra like it’s a living document. I try to stay updated with whatever credible advancements are happening in Ayurvedic surgery, but I filter what’s fluff and what’s actually useful. At the end of the day, my aim is to offer respectful, outcome-based care that lets patients walk out without shame or fear. That’s really what keeps me grounded in this field.
5
651 reviews
Dr. Prasad Pentakota
I am Dr. P. Prasad, and I’ve been in this field for 20+ years now, working kinda across the board—General Medicine, Neurology, Dermatology, Cardiology—you name it. Didn’t start out thinking I’d end up spanning that wide, but over time, each area sort of pulled me in deeper. And honestly, I like that mix. It lets me look at a patient not just through one lens but a whole system-wide view... makes more sense when treating something that won’t fit neatly in one category. I’ve handled everything from day-to-day stuff like hypertension, diabetes, or skin infections to more serious neuro and cardiac problems. Some cases are quick—diagnose, treat, done. Others take time, repeated check-ins, figuring out what’s really going on beneath those usual symptoms. And that’s where the detail matters. I’m pretty big on thorough diagnosis and patient education—because half the problem is ppl just not knowing what’s happening inside their own body. What’s changed for me over years isn’t just knowledge, it’s how much I lean on listening. If you miss what someone didn’t say, you might also miss their actual illness. And idk, after seeing it play out so many times, I do believe combining updated medical practice with basic empathy really shifts outcomes. Doesn’t have to be complicated... it just has to be consistent. I keep up with research too—new drugs, diagnostics, cross-specialty updates etc., not because it’s trendy, but cuz it’s necessary. Patients come in better read now than ever. You can’t afford to fall behind. The end goal’s the same tho—help them heal right, not just fast. Ethical practice, evidence-based, and sometimes just being there to explain what’s going on. That’s what I stick to.
5
949 reviews
Dr. Akshay Negi
I am currently pursuing my MD in Panchakarma, and by now I carry 3 yrs of steady clinical experience. Panchakarma for me is not just detox or some fancy retreat thing — it’s the core of how Ayurveda actually works to reset the system. During my journey I’ve handled patients with arthritis flares, chronic back pain, migraine, digestive troubles, hormonal imbalance, even skin and stress-related disorders... and in almost every case Panchakarma gave space for deeper healing than medicines alone. Working hands-on with procedures like Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya, and Raktamokshana gave me a lot of practical insight. It's not just about performing the therapy, but understanding timing, patient strength, diet before and after, and how their mind-body reacts to cleansing. Some respond quick, others struggle with initial discomfort, and that’s where real patient support matters. I learnt to watch closely, adjust small details, and guide them through the whole process safely. My approach is always patient-centric. I don’t believe in pushing the same package to everyone. I first assess prakriti, agni, mental state, lifestyle, then decide what works best. Sometimes full Panchakarma isn’t even needed — simple modifications, herbs, or limited therapy sessions can bring results. And when full shodhana is required, I plan it in detail with proper purvakarma & aftercare, cause that’s what makes outcomes sustainable. The last few years made me more confident not just in procedures but in the philosophy behind them. Panchakarma isn’t a quick fix — it demands patience, discipline, trust. But when done right, it gives relief that lasts, and that’s why I keep refining how I practice it.
5
99 reviews
Dr. Snehal Vidhate
I am Dr. Snehal Vidhate, born n brought up in Maharashtra—and honestly, for as long as I remember I’ve felt this pull towards Ayurveda. Not the fancy version ppl throw around, but the deep, real kind that actually helps ppl. I did my BAMS from YMT Ayurvedic Medical College in Kharghar. That’s where I got my basics strong—like really studied the shastras, understood prakriti, doshas, the whole deal. Not just crammed theory but started to see how it shows up in real lives. After finishing BAMS, I got into this one-year certificate course at Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, Delhi—honestly a turning point. I was super lucky to learn Kerala Ayurveda from my Guru, Prof. Dr. G.G. Gangadharan. He’s got this way of seeing things... simple but deep. That time with him taught me more than any textbook ever could. It kinda reshaped how I look at health, healing n how precise Ayurveda can be when you respect its roots. Right now I’m doing my MD in Panchakarma from SDM Ayurveda College, Bangalore. This place is like a hub for serious Ayurveda work. The Panchakarma training here? Super intense. We go deep into detoxification & rasayana therapy—not just theory again, but hands-on. I’m learning to blend classical techniques with today’s clinical demands.. like how to make Vamana or Basti actually doable in modern patient setups. My current practice is really about merging tradition with logic. Whether it’s chronic skin issues, gut problems, stress burnout or hormone stuff—my goal is to get to the root, not just hush the symptoms. I use Panchakarma when needed, but also a lot of ahara-vihara tweaks, medhya herbs, sometimes just slowing ppl down a bit helps. I really believe Ayurveda’s power is in its simplicity when done right. I don’t try to fix ppl—I work *with* them. And honestly, every patient teaches me something back.
5
437 reviews
Dr. Manjula
I am an Ayurveda practitioner who’s honestly kind of obsessed with understanding what really caused someone’s illness—not just what hurts, but why it started in the first place. I work through Prakruti-Vikruti pareeksha, tongue analysis, lifestyle patterns, digestion history—little things most ppl skip over, but Ayurveda doesn’t. I look at the whole system and how it’s interacting with the world around it. Not just, like, “you have acidity, take this churna.” My main focus is on balancing doshas—Vata, Pitta, Kapha—not in a copy-paste way, but in a very personalized, live-and-evolving format. Because sometimes someone looks like a Pitta imbalance but actually it's their aggravated Vata stirring it up... it’s layered. I use herbal medicine, ahar-vihar (diet + daily routine), lifestyle modifications and also just plain conversations with the patient to bring the mind and body back to a rhythm. When that happens—healing starts showing up, gradually but strongly. I work with chronic conditions, gut imbalances, seasonal allergies, emotional stress patterns, even people who just “don’t feel right” anymore but don’t have a name for it. Prevention is also a huge part of what I do—Ayurveda isn’t just for after you fall sick. Helping someone stay aligned, even when nothing feels urgent, is maybe the most powerful part of this science. My entire practice is rooted in classical Ayurvedic texts—Charaka, Sushruta, Ashtanga Hridayam—and I try to stay true to the system, but I also speak to people where they’re at. That means making the treatments doable in real life. No fancy lists of herbs no one can find. No shloka lectures unless someone wants them. Just real healing using real logic and intuition together. I care about precision in diagnosis. I don’t rush that part. I take time. Because one wrong assumption and you’re treating the shadow, not the source. And that’s what I try to avoid. My goal isn’t temporary relief—it’s to teach the body how to not need constant fixing. When someone walks away lighter, clearer, more in tune with their system—that’s the actual win.
5
245 reviews
Dr. Narendrakumar V Mishra
I am a Consulting Ayurvedic Physician practicing since 1990—feels strange saying “over three decades” sometimes, but yeah, that’s the journey. I’ve spent these years working closely with chronic conditions that don’t always have clear answers in quick fixes. My main work has been around skin disorders, hair fall, scalp issues, and long-standing lifestyle stuff like diabetes, arthritis, and stress that kinda lingers under everything else. When someone walks into my clinic, I don’t jump to treat the problem on the surface. I start by understanding their *prakriti* and *vikriti*—what they’re made of, and what’s currently out of sync. That lets me build treatment plans that actually *fit* their system—not just push a medicine and hope it works. I use a mix of classical formulations, panchakarma if needed, dietary corrections, and slow, practical lifestyle changes. No overnight miracle talk. Just steady support. Hair fall and skin issues often feel cosmetic from outside—but internally? It’s about digestion, stress, liver, hormones... I’ve seen patients try 10+ things before landing in front of me. And sometimes they just need someone to *listen* before throwing herbs at the problem. That’s something I never skip. With arthritis and diabetes too, I take the same root-cause path. I give Ayurvedic medicines, but also work with *dinacharya*, *ahar* rules, and ways to reduce the load modern life puts on the body. We discuss sleep, food timing, mental state, all of it. I’ve also worked a lot with people dealing with high stress—career burnout, anxiety patterns, overthinking—and my approach there includes Ayurvedic counseling, herbal mind support, breathing routines... depends what suits them. My foundation is built on classical *samhitas*, clinical observation, and actual time with patients—not theories alone. My goal has always been simple: to help people feel well—not just for a few weeks, but in a way that actually lasts. Healing that feels like *them*, not just protocol. That’s what I keep aiming for.
5
1595 reviews
Dr. Jatin Kumar Sharma
I am a BAMS graduate and currently running my own clinic, where I see patients on a regular basis and try to give them honest, practical care. My daily work involves understanding different health concerns, listening properly to what the patient is going through, and then planning treatment in a way that actually fits their routine. I believe treatment should not feel confusing or rushed, and sometimes even small changes make a big difference. Running my own clinic has taught me a lot about responsibility and consistency. Some days are busy, some are slow, but every patient brings a different challenge and learning. I focus mainly on Ayurvedic treatment methods, lifestyle correction and long-term health balance, rather than quick fixes. There are times when progress takes longer, but I stay patient and keep working with the person step by step. I try to keep my approach simple, practical and honest. For me, real success is when a patient feels better in daily life, sleeps better, eats better and slowly regains balance. That is what keeps me going and improving every day.
5
40 reviews
Dr. M.Sushma
I am Dr. Sushma M and yeah, I’ve been in Ayurveda for over 20 yrs now—honestly still learning from it every day. I mostly work with preventive care, diet logic, and prakriti-based guidance. I mean, why wait for full-blown disease when your body’s been whispering for years, right? I’m kinda obsessed with that early correction part—spotting vata-pitta-kapha imbalances before they spiral into something deeper. Most ppl don’t realize how much power food timing, digestion rhythm, & basic routine actually have… until they shift it. Alongside all that classical Ayurveda, I also use energy medicine & color therapy—those subtle layers matter too, esp when someone’s dealing with long-term fatigue or emotional heaviness. These things help reconnect not just the body, but the inner self too. Some ppl are skeptical at first—but when you treat *beyond* the doshas, they feel it. And I don’t force anything… I just kinda match what fits their nature. I usually take time understanding a person’s prakriti—not just from pulse or skin or tongue—but how they react to stress, sleep patterns, their relationship with food. That whole package tells the story. I don’t do textbook treatment lines—I build a plan that adjusts *with* the person, not on top of them. Over the years, watching patients slowly return to their baseline harmony—that's what keeps me in it. I’ve seen folks come in feeling lost in symptoms no one explained… and then walk out weeks later understanding their body better than they ever did. That, to me, is healing. Not chasing symptoms, but restoring rhythm. I believe true care doesn’t look rushed, or mechanical. It listens, observes, tweaks gently. That's the kind of Ayurveda I try to practice—not loud, but deeply rooted.
5
876 reviews
Dr. Mohit Kakkar
I am a BAMS-qualified Ayurvedic physician from Jalandhar, Punjab, and I work with a deep interest in blending classical Ayurvedic wisdom with modern telemedicine care. My practice is largely consultation based, reaching patients across the country through online platforms, which still feels new sometimes but works well. Till now I have served more than 500 patients through teleconsultations, mostly chronic cases where consistency really matters more than quick fixes. I focus on understanding each patient through dosha assessment, mainly balancing Vata, Pitta, Kapha using individualized treatment plans and nutrition guidance. Around 85% symptom relief has been seen in chronic conditions, though outcomes vary and need patience. I rely on personalised diet, daily routine correction, and classical Ayurvedic medicines. Some days are challenging, but seeing people feel lighter, sleep better, or regain control over health keeps me going. My aim stays simple,, long term wellness through practical Ayurveda, not rushed solutions.
5
1 reviews
Dr. Suraj Amber
I am practicing Ayurveda for about 8 years now, feels strange saying that because honestly the learning never stops. My work is all about finding balance in the body, not in some abstract way, but literally working with each person’s unique prakriti and the vikriti they’re dealing with at that moment. I follow the classical principles — herbal formulations, Panchakarma therapies, diet corrections, lifestyle tweaks — but nothing is “one size fits all”. Each treatment plan is shaped by the person infront of me, their health history, and the small details you only catch when you really listen. Over time I’ve worked with people dealing with digestion troubles, joint pains, hormonal shifts, stress-related health dips, and even stubborn chronic stuff that didn’t respond much to other methods. My approach is to go for the root cause first, because treating just the symptoms feels like putting tape over a crack... it hides it for a while but doesn’t fix it. That’s also why I focus on prevention — if you stop the imbalance before it grows, you save a lot of pain later. I keep my learning alive by reading classical Ayurvedic texts and joining continuing education whenever I can fit it in (sometimes late nights with too much chai). And I try to pass that clarity on to patients, explaining why a certain herb or therapy is chosen, what changes they might notice, and how they can keep supporting themselves after treatment ends. For me, this is more than just work. It’s a way of living… making choices every day that keep the mind, body, and emotions in some kind of harmony. My goal is still the same as day one — offer care that’s authentic, safe, and actually works for the long run, while making sure the person feels heard and understood through the whole process.
5
4 reviews
Dr. Snehal Tasgaonkar
I am an Ayurvedic physician with around 7 yrs clinical experience, though honestly—feels like I’ve lived double that in patient hours. I studied from a govt. medical college (reputed one) where I got deep into classical Ayurvedic texts n clinical logic. I treat everything from chronic stuff like arthritis, IBS, eczema... to more sudden conditions that just pop up outta nowhere. I try to approach each case by digging into the *why*, not just the *what*. I mean—anyone can treat pain, but if you don’t catch the doshic imbalance or metabolic root, it just comes bak right? I use Nadi Pariksha a lot, but also other classical signs to map prakriti-vikruti, dhatu status n agni condition... you know the drill. I like making people *understand* their own health too. Doesn’t make sense to hand meds without giving them tools to prevent a relapse. My Panchakarma training’s been a core part of my work. I do Abhyanga, Swedana, Basti etc regularly—not just detox but also as restorative therapy. Actually seen cases where patients came in exhausted, foggy... and post-Shodhana, they're just lit up. That part never gets old. Also I always tie diet & lifestyle changes into treatment. It’s non-negotiable for me, bcs long-term balance needs daily changes, not just clinic visits. I like using classical formulations but I stay practical too—if someone's not ready for full-scale protocol, I try building smaller habits. I believe healing’s not just abt treating symptoms—it’s abt helping the body reset, then stay there. I’m constantly refining what I do, trying to blend timeless Ayurvedic theory with real-time practical needs of today’s patients. Doesn’t always go perfect lol, but most times we see real shifts. That’s what keeps me going.
5
221 reviews

Latest reviews

Quinn
29 minutes ago
Thanks a ton for the clear advice! It’s nice to know there’s someone out there getting what I’m going through. This info really helped put my mind at ease.
Thanks a ton for the clear advice! It’s nice to know there’s someone out there getting what I’m going through. This info really helped put my mind at ease.
Phoenix
29 minutes ago
Thanks for the advice! Finally got answers that make sense and feel like they'll help. Really appreciate the guidance you provided!
Thanks for the advice! Finally got answers that make sense and feel like they'll help. Really appreciate the guidance you provided!
Caroline
2 hours ago
Thanks for the clear reply! Appreciate the guidance on symptoms and next steps. It's been pretty helpful for my situation.
Thanks for the clear reply! Appreciate the guidance on symptoms and next steps. It's been pretty helpful for my situation.
Avery
5 hours ago
Thanks! The advice helped me a lot to understand my options. The plan is detailed and gave me some hope!
Thanks! The advice helped me a lot to understand my options. The plan is detailed and gave me some hope!