Ask Ayurveda

/
/
/
Ayurvedic Therapies
FREE! Ask an Ayurvedic Doctor — 24/7
Connect with Ayurvedic doctors 24/7. Ask anything, get expert help today.
Panchakarma
Question #5327
290 days ago
332

Ayurvedic Therapies - #5327

Nora

For the past few months, I’ve been dealing with constant stress, fatigue, and poor digestion. A friend recommended trying Ayurvedic therapies to help address these problems and improve my overall health. While I’ve started reading about different Ayurvedic therapies, I’m overwhelmed by the variety and unsure which ones would be best for me. From what I understand, there are many Ayurvedic therapies like abhyanga (oil massage), shirodhara (oil pouring on the forehead), and panchakarma (a full-body detox program). Are these therapies suitable for general wellness, or are they meant for specific health conditions? For example, is abhyanga mostly for relaxation, or does it also improve circulation and digestion? I’m particularly curious about panchakarma because it seems to be a comprehensive detox program. Would it be too intense for someone like me who is new to Ayurveda, or is it a good starting point to reset my body? I’ve read that panchakarma includes treatments like basti (enema) and virechana (purgation) – are these safe, and do they require supervision from an experienced practitioner? Another question I have is whether these Ayurvedic therapies can be done as standalone treatments or if they work better as part of a larger plan that includes diet and lifestyle changes. How do I choose the right combination of therapies to address stress, digestion, and energy issues all at once?

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

Doctors’ responses

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.
290 days ago
4.83

Ayurvedic therapies can be highly effective for stress, fatigue, and digestion, but it’s important to tailor them to your specific needs. Abhyanga (oil massage) is excellent for relaxation, improving circulation, and supporting digestion, especially when there’s a vata imbalance. It also helps soothe the nervous system, making it ideal for stress relief. Shirodhara (oil pouring on the forehead) is particularly beneficial for calming the mind and reducing anxiety, which can improve sleep and mental clarity. If you’re new to Ayurveda, panchakarma is a powerful detox program, but it can be intense and should ideally be done under the guidance of an experienced practitioner, especially if you’re dealing with fatigue and digestive issues. The treatments like basti (enema) and virechana (purgation) are designed to eliminate toxins and reset the body, but they require careful supervision, particularly if you’re not accustomed to detoxification. These therapies are most effective when combined with dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes that align with your dosha and current imbalances. It’s best to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner who can design a personalized treatment plan to address your stress, digestion, and energy concerns in a balanced way.

13739 answered questions
68% best answers
Accepted response

0 replies

Great questions there. I can see you’re diving deep into Ayurveda, and that’s awesome! First off, yeah, Ayurveda’s got a wide range of therapies, each with its own magic, but you don’t necessarily have to jump straight into everything like panchakarma right away, especially if you’re new to it.

Abhyanga is a bit of an all-rounder. It’s not just about relaxation, though it does help calm the nerves. The warm oil massages can improve circulation and digestion too. By increasing blood flow and promoting the removal of toxins, it can boost your energy levels over time. That alone might help with the stress and fatigue you’re feeling.

As for Panchakarma, it’s definitely more intense, and, you’re right, it does involve processes like basti and virechana which should be conducted under the watchful eyes of a skilled practitioner. It’s kind of like hitting the reset button for your body but it can be quite demanding, so not always the best place to start if you’re super tired or stressed. For beginners, lighter routines or therapies might be a better beginning point, ease into it, maybe think of it more as a goal once you’re more comfortable with the basics.

Now about having them as standalone treatments – well, Ayurveda emphasizes balance, so treatments usually work better in tandem with lifestyle and diet changes. You need to consider your dosha type (vata, pitta, kapha) and your constitution (prakriti) to tailor the right combo for you. For stress, fatigue, and digestion, starting with diet adjustments (like more warm, cooked foods if you’re vata-dominant), daily abhyanga, and some breathing exercises or meditation for stress might be more manageable to begin with.

Explore what feels good for your body, starting gradually. Consult with a genuine ayurvedic practitioner to get a personalized plan, can’t stress that enough. Your unique body constitution matters a lot. Keep things practical, achievable and again, take it slow. Ayurveda is a journey, not a sprint!

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. Khushboo
I am someone who kinda started out in both worlds—Ayurveda and allopathy—and that mix really shaped how I see health today. My clinical journey began with 6 months of hands-on allopathic exposure at District Hospital Sitapur. Honestly, that place was intense. Fast-paced, high patient flow, constant cases of chronic and acute illnesses coming through. That taught me a lot about how to see disease. Not just treat it, but like… notice the patterns, get better at real-time diagnosis, really listen to what the patient isn’t saying out loud sometimes. It gave me this sharper sense of clinical grounding which I think still stays with me. Then I moved more deeply into Ayurveda and spent another 6 months diving into clinical training focused on Panchakarma therapies. Stuff like Abhyanga, Basti, Shirodhara—learned those not just as a list of techniques, but how and when to use 'em, especially for detox and deep healing. Every case felt like a different puzzle. There wasn’t always one right answer, you know? And that’s where I found I loved adapting protocols based on what the person actually needed, not just what the textbook says. Alongside that, I got certified in Garbha Sanskar through structured training. That really pulled me closer to maternal health. Pregnancy support through Ayurveda isn’t just about herbs or massage, it’s like this entire way of guiding a mother-to-be toward nourishing the baby right from conception—emotionally, physically, all of it. That part stuck with me hard. My overall approach? It’s kinda fluid. I believe in balancing natural therapies and evidence-based thinking. Whether it's seasonal imbalance, hormonal issues, Panchakarma detox plans, or just guiding someone on long-term wellness—I like making people feel safe, heard, and actually understood. I’m not into rushing plans or masking symptoms. I’d rather work together with someone to build something sustainable that really suits their body and where they’re at. In a way, I’m still learning every day. But my focus stays the same—use Ayurvedic wisdom practically, compassionately, and in a way that just... makes sense in real life.
5
181 reviews
Dr. Nisha Bisht
I am an Ayurvedic physician with over 10 years of real, everyday experience—both in the clinical side and in managing systems behind the scenes. My journey started at Jiva Ayurveda in Faridabad, where I spent around 3 years juggling in-clinic and telemedicine consultations. That time taught me how different patient care can look when it’s just you, the person’s voice, and classical texts. No fancy setups—just your grasp on nidan and your ability to *listen properly*. Then I moved into a Medical Officer role at Uttaranchal Ayurved College in Dehradun, where I stayed for 7 years. It was more than just outpatient care—I was also involved in academic work, teaching students while continuing to treat patients. That phase really pushed me to re-read things with new eyes. You explain something to students one day and then end up applying it differently the next day on a patient. The loop between theory and practice became sharper there. Right now, I’m working as Deputy Medical Superintendent at Shivalik Hospital (part of the Shivalik Ayurved Institute in Dehradun). It’s a dual role—consulting patients *and* making sure the hospital ops run smooth. I get to ensure that the Ayurvedic care we deliver is both clinically sound and logistically strong. From patient case planning to supporting clinical staff and overseeing treatment quality—I keep an eye on all of it. Across all these years, my focus hasn’t changed much—I still work to blend classical Ayurved with today’s healthcare structure in a way that feels practical, safe and real. I don’t believe in overloading patients or selling “quick detox” ideas. I work on balancing doshas, rebuilding agni, planning proper chikitsa based on the person’s condition and constitution. Whether it’s lifestyle disorders, seasonal issues, chronic cases, or plain unexplained fatigue—I try to reach the cause before anything else. I still believe that Ayurved works best when it’s applied with clarity and humility—not overcomplicated or oversold. That’s the approach I carry into every patient room and every team meeting. It’s a long road, but it’s one I’m fully walking.
5
248 reviews
Dr. Keerthana PV
I am an Ayurvedic doctor who kinda grew into this path naturally—my roots are in Kerala, and I did my internship at VPSV Ayurveda College in Kottakkal, which honestly was one of the most eye-opening stages of my life. That place isn’t just a college, it’s a deep well of real Ayurveda. The kind that’s lived, not just studied. During my time there, I didn’t just observe—I *practiced*. Diagnosing, treating, understanding the patient beyond their symptoms, all that hands-on stuff that textbooks don’t really teach. It’s where I learned the rhythm of classical Kerala Ayurveda, the art of pulse reading, and how Panchakarma ain’t just about detox but more about deep repair. I work closely with patients—always felt more like a guide than just a doctor tbh. Whether it's about fixing a chronic issue or preventing one from happening, I focus on the full picture. I give a lot of attention to diet (pathya), routine, mental clutter, and stress stuff. Counseling on these isn’t an ‘extra’—I see it as a part of healing. And not the preachy kind either, more like what works *for you*, your lifestyle, your space. Also yeah—I’m a certified Smrithi Meditation Consultant from Kottakkal Ayurveda School of Excellence. This kinda allowed me to mix mindfulness with medicine, which I find super important, especially in today’s distracted world. I integrate meditation where needed—some patients need a virechana, some just need to breathe better before they sleep. There’s no one-size-fits-all and I kinda like that part of my job the most. I don’t claim to know it all, but I listen deeply, treat with care, and stay true to the Ayurvedic principles I was trained in. My role feels less about ‘curing’ and more about nudging people back to their natural balance... it’s not quick or flashy, but it feels right.
5
122 reviews
Dr. Maitri Bhavesh Kumar Acharya
I am Dr. Maitri, currently in my 2nd year of MD in Dravyaguna, and yeah, I run my own Ayurvedic clinic in Ranoli where I’ve been seeing patients for 2 years now. Honestly, what pulled me into this path deeper is how powerful herbs really are—when used right. Not just randomly mixing churnas but actually understanding their rasa, virya, vipaka etc. That’s kinda my zone, where textbook knowledge meets day-to-day case handling. My practice revolves around helping people with PCOD, acne, dandruff, back pain, stiffness in knees or joints that never seem to go away. And I don’t jump to giving a long list of medicines straight away—first I spend time figuring out their prakriti, their habits, food cycle, what triggers what… basically all the small stuff that gets missed. Then comes the plan—herbs (single or compound), some diet reshuffling, and always some lifestyle nudges. Sometimes they’re tiny, like sleep timing. Sometimes big like proper seasonal detox. Being into Dravyaguna helps me get into the depth of herbs more confidently. I don’t just look at the symptom—I think okay what guna will counter this? Should the drug be snigdha, ushna, tikta? Is there a reverse vipaka that’ll hurt the agni? I ask these questions before writing any combo. That’s made a huge diff in outcomes. Like I had this case of chronic urticaria that would flare up every week, and just tweaking the herbs based on sheetala vs ushna nature... helped calm the system in 3 weeks flat. Not magic, just logic. I also work with women who are struggling with hormonal swings, mood, delayed periods or even unexplained breakouts. When hormones go haywire, the skin shows, digestion slows, and mind gets foggy too. I keep my approach full-circle—cleansing, balancing, rejuvenating. No quick fixes, I tell them early on. What I’m hoping to do more of now is make Ayurveda feel practical. Not overwhelming. Just simple tools—ahara, vihara, aushadha—used consistently, with some trust in the body’s own healing. I’m still learning, still refining, but honestly, seeing people feel in control of their health again—that’s what keeps me rooted to this.
5
301 reviews
Dr. Anupriya
I am an Ayurvedic doctor trained at one of the most reputed institutes (yeah, the kind that makes u sweat but also feel proud lol) where I completed my BAMS with 70%—not just numbers but real grind behind it. My focus during & after graduation has always been on treating the patient not just the disease, and honestly that philosophy keeps guiding me even now. I usually see anywhere around 50 to 60 patients a day, sometimes more if there's a health camp or local rush. It’s hectic, but I kinda thrive in that rhythm. What matters to me is not the number but going deep into each case—reading every complaint, understanding symptoms, prakriti, current state, season changes etc. and putting together a treatment that feels “right” for that person, not just for the condition. Like, I don’t do one-size-fits-all plans. I sit down, make case reports (yup, proper handwritten notes sometimes), observe small shifts, modify herbs, suggest diet tweaks, even plan rest patterns when needed. I find that holistic angle super powerful. And patients feel it too—some who come in dull n restless, over weeks show clarity, skin settles, energy kinda gets back... that makes the day worth it tbh. There’s no shortcut to trust, and i get that. Maybe that’s why patients keep referring their siblings or maa-papa too. Not bragging, but when people say things like “you actually listened” or “I felt heard”, it stays in the back of my mind even when I’m dog tired lol. My goal? Just to keep learning, treating honestly and evolving as per what each new case teaches me. Ayurveda isn’t static—it grows with u if u let it. I guess I’m just walking that path, one custom plan at a time.
5
194 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
697 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
102 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
38 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
366 reviews
Dr. Anjali Sehrawat
I am Dr. Anjali Sehrawat. Graduated BAMS from National College of Ayurveda & Hospital, Barwala (Hisar) in 2023—and right now I'm doing my residency, learning a lot everyday under senior clinicians who’ve been in the field way longer than me. It’s kind of intense but also really grounding. Like, it makes you pause before assuming anything about a patient. During my UG and clinical rotations, I got good hands-on exposure... not just in diagnosing through Ayurvedic nidan but also understanding where and when Allopathic tools (like lab reports or acute interventions) help fill the gap. I really believe that if you *actually* want to heal someone, you gotta see the whole picture—Ayurveda gives you that depth, but you also need to know when modern input is useful, right? I’m more interested in chronic & lifestyle disorders—stuff like metabolic imbalances, stress-linked issues, digestive problems that linger and slowly pull energy down. I don’t rush into giving churnas or kashayams just bcz the texts say so... I try to see what fits the patient’s prakriti, daily habits, emotional pattern etc. It’s not textbook-perfect every time, but that’s where the real skill grows I guess. I do a lot of thinking abt cause vs symptom—sometimes it's not the problem you see that actually needs solving first. What I care about most is making sure the treatment is safe, ethical, practical, and honest. No overpromising, no pushing meds that don’t fit. And I’m always reading or discussing sth—old Samhitas or recent journals, depends what the case demands. My goal really is to build a practice where people feel seen & understood, not just “managed.” That's where healing actually begins, right?
5
69 reviews
Dr. Hemanshu Mehta
I am Dr. Hemanshu—right now a 2nd year MD scholar in Shalya Tantra, which basically means I’m training deep into the surgical side of Ayurveda. Not just cutting and stitching, btw, but the whole spectrum of para-surgical tools like Agnikarma, Viddhakarma, and Kshara Karma... these aren’t just traditional, they’re super precise when done right. I’m not saying I know everything yet (still learning every day honestly), but I do have solid exposure in handling chronic pain issues, muscle-joint disorders, and anorectal conditions like piles, fissures, fistulas—especially where modern treatments fall short or the patient’s tired of going through loops. During clinical rounds, I’ve seen how even simple Kshara application or well-timed Agnikarma can ease stuff like tennis elbow or planter fasciatis, fast. But more than the technique, I feel the key is figuring what matches the patient’s constitution n lifestyle... like one-size-never-fits-all here. I try to go beyond the complaint—looking into their ahar, sleep, stress levels, digestion, and just how they feel in general. That part gets missed often. I honestly believe healing isn’t just a “procedure done” kind of thing. I try not to rush—spend time on pre-procedure prep, post-care advice, what diet might help the tissue rebuild faster, whether they’re mentally up for it too. And no, I don’t ignore pathology reports either—modern diagnostic tools help me stay grounded while applying ancient methods. It’s not this vs that, it’s both, when needed. My aim, tbh, is to become the kind of Ayurvedic surgeon who doesn't just do the work but understands why that karma or technique is needed at that point in time. Every case teaches me something new, and that curiosity keeps me moving.
5
159 reviews

Latest reviews

Sophia
2 days ago
Just read this doc's reply and it's super detailed! Finally feeling hopeful about tackling my hair issues. Big thanks for such a clear help!
Just read this doc's reply and it's super detailed! Finally feeling hopeful about tackling my hair issues. Big thanks for such a clear help!
Samuel
2 days ago
Thanks, your advice to consult an Ayurvedic cardiologist really gave us a new direction. So grateful for the suggestion!
Thanks, your advice to consult an Ayurvedic cardiologist really gave us a new direction. So grateful for the suggestion!
Henry
2 days ago
Really appreciate this advice! You really felt understanding and supportive, made me feel not alone in this. Gonna try those suggestions, thanks!
Really appreciate this advice! You really felt understanding and supportive, made me feel not alone in this. Gonna try those suggestions, thanks!
Bella
2 days ago
Thank you so much for your detailed response, it really helped! Your advice on ayurveda and managing doshas feels life-changing. I'm hopeful again!
Thank you so much for your detailed response, it really helped! Your advice on ayurveda and managing doshas feels life-changing. I'm hopeful again!