POSTED UNDER Invisalign REVIEWS
40 and Ready to Smile - New York
ORIGINAL POST
Severe overcrowding and a refusal to break out...
WORTH IT$4,895
Severe overcrowding and a refusal to break out into a full smile - that's me in a nutshell!
I wasn't going to document my Invisalign journey but after getting so much out of everyone here who has, I decided I needed to pay that back. So while talking about the thing I'm most self-conscious about for everyone to see seems strange, I hope I can help someone else. Especially since I have a complex (read: nasty) case of overcrowding. See exhibit a in the photo space.
Like a lot of people here I've wanted to do this forever, but have put it off for all the usual reasons. As an added wrinkle I have auto-immune issues which can be a time-consuming and expensive proposition. But when I started seeing a new dentist this year (after a multi-year lapse due to said other medical issues plus the last dentist was the pits and put the fear of the drill into me) she plainly said straightening my teeth was a health issue, not a cosmetic one, and ignoring it longer put me at high risk for gum disease and more inflammation my body would not handle well, and eventual tooth and bone loss. Ok ok I get it.
The thing is, I had gone to a bunch of orthodontists in the past to consider treatment and I hadn't liked a single one. Mostly I felt like none of them really considered my case beyond lots of crooked teeth that need traditional braces and tooth extraction. It always felt like a knee-jerk diagnosis, and in earlier years I get that there weren't options to consider. And I haven't been looking for somebody to just say yes to what I wanted, which was actually just a real conversation about Invisalign. I was seeing cases and advancements that made me question "why not me!" and not a single person could give me an answer that felt well considered. At the very least I didn't want to spend years in treatment with a doctor who can't bother with really answering what to me was a very very important question.
So it was with a lot of hope and very little expectation that I asked my new dentist to consider taking me on as an Invisalign patient, knowing she had very satisfied patients. To her credit she said she wouldn't commit either way in that visit, and after I had my wisdom teeth extracted and old fillings replaced she'd put forward her recommendation and that could very well include the traditional route if that's what would be best. She did mention that she herself had done through a treatment of Invisalign and clear braces because of the complexity of her own case, and was grateful to cut down her time in braces even by half. At last, at least somebody is talking to me like I'm a real person with feelings and anxiety, and acknowledging a lot is going on in my head, not just in my mouth.
We talked during my visits during the next six months. She talked me through a case she was finishing that was as complex as mine and very successful. We agreed to do the scans and treatment planning for Invisalign and then see what could be done. What impressed me was her offer to go through the plan with me before a final decision on her part was made. She could have just assumed that if she was happy, I'd be thrilled and to go with it. But this extra step, which doesn't seem to be normal protocol for a lot of doctors, was very comforting and helped me know that I would be making a fully informed decision based on all the facts.
So I know from reading that the general rule is your better off at the orthodontist, but I should also note that in my experience (both personal and through my professional life) being a specialist doesn't always equal being up-to-date or experienced, or the best person to deliver care. But it was in my mind to take this seriously and not commit if I wasn't fully pleased with the plan or had doubts. I still wanted to do what was best in the long-term.
Today I got a very thorough presentation of the Invisalign plan, with many pros and cons presented, an overview of particular trays that will be the ones where I'll notice something good, and even bad, and of course where all the attachments will go. I know a lot of people feel like if the mouth is full of attachments, what was the point, so that was really going to be a big piece in my final decision to go with Invisalign or not. I also got a lot of explanation of why everything was going to happen the way it will, and that gave me confidence that she does know what she's doing and thinks it's important for me to appreciate the mechanics of the treatment. She'll want to see me every four weeks instead of the customary six or eight, and have some maintenance cleaning to avoid any potential health complications.
When I thought of all the things I have had to sacrifice to treat a chronic illness -all the pills that have made me sick, the diet and the lifestyle changes, and at times an impacted quality of life - it came down to wanting to be able to enjoy meals and not further restrict myself if it was at all possible. Being able to clean my teeth, and have access to a team that really gets me, and one that I feel super confident in is not a luxury for me. I feel like I found a dentist who appreciated my whole case, not just my teeth, and I know from our six months of discussions that if she didn't feel it would work I wouldn't have been presented the plan. Her sincere enthusiasm was so evident. I think she's more excited than I am!
So in two weeks it will be Tray 1 of 34!
Sorry for the extra long entry! I promise they won't all be like this. But it was a really long process to give the green light, and hopefully somebody will relate and benefit from how I got here. More to come, and thanks for reading.
I wasn't going to document my Invisalign journey but after getting so much out of everyone here who has, I decided I needed to pay that back. So while talking about the thing I'm most self-conscious about for everyone to see seems strange, I hope I can help someone else. Especially since I have a complex (read: nasty) case of overcrowding. See exhibit a in the photo space.
Like a lot of people here I've wanted to do this forever, but have put it off for all the usual reasons. As an added wrinkle I have auto-immune issues which can be a time-consuming and expensive proposition. But when I started seeing a new dentist this year (after a multi-year lapse due to said other medical issues plus the last dentist was the pits and put the fear of the drill into me) she plainly said straightening my teeth was a health issue, not a cosmetic one, and ignoring it longer put me at high risk for gum disease and more inflammation my body would not handle well, and eventual tooth and bone loss. Ok ok I get it.
The thing is, I had gone to a bunch of orthodontists in the past to consider treatment and I hadn't liked a single one. Mostly I felt like none of them really considered my case beyond lots of crooked teeth that need traditional braces and tooth extraction. It always felt like a knee-jerk diagnosis, and in earlier years I get that there weren't options to consider. And I haven't been looking for somebody to just say yes to what I wanted, which was actually just a real conversation about Invisalign. I was seeing cases and advancements that made me question "why not me!" and not a single person could give me an answer that felt well considered. At the very least I didn't want to spend years in treatment with a doctor who can't bother with really answering what to me was a very very important question.
So it was with a lot of hope and very little expectation that I asked my new dentist to consider taking me on as an Invisalign patient, knowing she had very satisfied patients. To her credit she said she wouldn't commit either way in that visit, and after I had my wisdom teeth extracted and old fillings replaced she'd put forward her recommendation and that could very well include the traditional route if that's what would be best. She did mention that she herself had done through a treatment of Invisalign and clear braces because of the complexity of her own case, and was grateful to cut down her time in braces even by half. At last, at least somebody is talking to me like I'm a real person with feelings and anxiety, and acknowledging a lot is going on in my head, not just in my mouth.
We talked during my visits during the next six months. She talked me through a case she was finishing that was as complex as mine and very successful. We agreed to do the scans and treatment planning for Invisalign and then see what could be done. What impressed me was her offer to go through the plan with me before a final decision on her part was made. She could have just assumed that if she was happy, I'd be thrilled and to go with it. But this extra step, which doesn't seem to be normal protocol for a lot of doctors, was very comforting and helped me know that I would be making a fully informed decision based on all the facts.
So I know from reading that the general rule is your better off at the orthodontist, but I should also note that in my experience (both personal and through my professional life) being a specialist doesn't always equal being up-to-date or experienced, or the best person to deliver care. But it was in my mind to take this seriously and not commit if I wasn't fully pleased with the plan or had doubts. I still wanted to do what was best in the long-term.
Today I got a very thorough presentation of the Invisalign plan, with many pros and cons presented, an overview of particular trays that will be the ones where I'll notice something good, and even bad, and of course where all the attachments will go. I know a lot of people feel like if the mouth is full of attachments, what was the point, so that was really going to be a big piece in my final decision to go with Invisalign or not. I also got a lot of explanation of why everything was going to happen the way it will, and that gave me confidence that she does know what she's doing and thinks it's important for me to appreciate the mechanics of the treatment. She'll want to see me every four weeks instead of the customary six or eight, and have some maintenance cleaning to avoid any potential health complications.
When I thought of all the things I have had to sacrifice to treat a chronic illness -all the pills that have made me sick, the diet and the lifestyle changes, and at times an impacted quality of life - it came down to wanting to be able to enjoy meals and not further restrict myself if it was at all possible. Being able to clean my teeth, and have access to a team that really gets me, and one that I feel super confident in is not a luxury for me. I feel like I found a dentist who appreciated my whole case, not just my teeth, and I know from our six months of discussions that if she didn't feel it would work I wouldn't have been presented the plan. Her sincere enthusiasm was so evident. I think she's more excited than I am!
So in two weeks it will be Tray 1 of 34!
Sorry for the extra long entry! I promise they won't all be like this. But it was a really long process to give the green light, and hopefully somebody will relate and benefit from how I got here. More to come, and thanks for reading.
Replies (12)
November 5, 2015
I loved your long entry :) and don't stop posting! You will read so many other reviews on here that will help you in some way, We are all on this journey with you, and although our stories (and teeth) may be a little different, it is so helpful to be able to see that there are lots of us doing it with you! I am 54 years young, currently on 10/34 so I still have a way to go, but already excited about how things are changing. If you need to come on here to vent or gripe, ask questions or help someone else with an answer,or shout for joy... then do it! We are all your new Invisalign buddies who know what you are experiencing. good luck on your journey and we look forward to progress pics and hearing your story. Karen
November 5, 2015
Loved your thoroughness!!! I am 41 and just got set up for Invisalign. Mine should be coming in the next 2-3 weeks (hopefully!), and I have 18 months of treatment. I struggled with being self conscious because of my teeth (crowded). Can't wait for my journey to begin and hear more about yours. I also have an autoimmune disorder and it will be interesting to see if it helps with this aspect. Good Luck!!!!
November 18, 2015
Thank you so much for your thorough entry. Please keep posting. I have just started my treatment today so will follow your journey with interest.
UPDATED FROM Billyburg
5 days pre
T-minus Six Days...
You guys, I'm sort of in this phase where on the one hand I can't wait until Tuesday to have these suckers in my mouth and get the teeth moving. And then there's the other hand where I realize what a true figurative and literal pain this is all going to be, so what's the hurry?
So I'm enjoying my last few days of careless eating and drinking without a second thought to time and flossing. I'm not a regular snacker by nature, and I'm actually a pretty efficient eater (I've been timing my usual meals), and while I should have no problem in this area just the fact that in a week these will be things I'm forced to do because of Invisalign my stubborn streak is coming out. So snacks, mints, gum, and leisurely chewing for the hell of it are frequent these days.
But I'm also getting my stuff together. I do subscribe to the notion that luck favors the prepared so while I'm jazzed about this I'm actually overpreparing a bit, because once I lose excitement it ain't pretty. The one thing you'll notice about me as I go along this journey is that I have two modes in life: totally on top of it and brain dead. So what follows next will make me sound like my life is really together (or you might think I'm just crazy), but trust me when I say in a few short months you'll wonder how I've managed to survive as long as I've had due to my sheer forgetfulness/laziness. I'm actually considering a toothbrush and toothpaste subscription type service so there's automatic supply and I'm never out. Quip, anyone?
So my prep list! I have or have coming:
- A zippered case to carry everything I could possibly need to carry
- Supply of travel size toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash and floss
- Denture brush and Retainer Brite
- Ortho wax
- Crochet hook (the secret weapon for aligner removal success I'm told)
- Aligner chewies (is it weird that I'm really psyched about these????)
- Lots of nail filers to sand down those rough edges
- Tylenol PM for rough nights
- Clove Oil (amazing for mouth pain!)
- Head wrap and ice pack thing for jaw and face pain (wisdom teeth removal fave #1)
I also went back to my wisdom tooth survival recipes and reminded myself of the good soup and smoothie recipes that kept me eating even through extreme pain.
Is there anything I'm forgetting? Will a Waterpik rock my oral health care routine? Because I see words like "gum massage" and I'm kinda sold...
So I'm enjoying my last few days of careless eating and drinking without a second thought to time and flossing. I'm not a regular snacker by nature, and I'm actually a pretty efficient eater (I've been timing my usual meals), and while I should have no problem in this area just the fact that in a week these will be things I'm forced to do because of Invisalign my stubborn streak is coming out. So snacks, mints, gum, and leisurely chewing for the hell of it are frequent these days.
But I'm also getting my stuff together. I do subscribe to the notion that luck favors the prepared so while I'm jazzed about this I'm actually overpreparing a bit, because once I lose excitement it ain't pretty. The one thing you'll notice about me as I go along this journey is that I have two modes in life: totally on top of it and brain dead. So what follows next will make me sound like my life is really together (or you might think I'm just crazy), but trust me when I say in a few short months you'll wonder how I've managed to survive as long as I've had due to my sheer forgetfulness/laziness. I'm actually considering a toothbrush and toothpaste subscription type service so there's automatic supply and I'm never out. Quip, anyone?
So my prep list! I have or have coming:
- A zippered case to carry everything I could possibly need to carry
- Supply of travel size toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash and floss
- Denture brush and Retainer Brite
- Ortho wax
- Crochet hook (the secret weapon for aligner removal success I'm told)
- Aligner chewies (is it weird that I'm really psyched about these????)
- Lots of nail filers to sand down those rough edges
- Tylenol PM for rough nights
- Clove Oil (amazing for mouth pain!)
- Head wrap and ice pack thing for jaw and face pain (wisdom teeth removal fave #1)
I also went back to my wisdom tooth survival recipes and reminded myself of the good soup and smoothie recipes that kept me eating even through extreme pain.
Is there anything I'm forgetting? Will a Waterpik rock my oral health care routine? Because I see words like "gum massage" and I'm kinda sold...
Replies (5)
December 23, 2015
Thanks for your helpful post! I get my first trays next week. Any other items you would add to your list? Any other tips? Thanks!
December 23, 2015
Glad you found this useful! I've found the Chewies the best purchase in some ways because they really do help the trays "seat" better. Especially in the beginning when trays are super tight, and then again at the end of the cycle when they become a little loose. Anything to help with pain (the ibuprofen and tylenol pm) and pain prevention (files and dental wax) is a must. But I do like the clove oil for blanket numbness, though it tastes really clovey :) I do the retainer brite for night cleaning, and I use a 50/50 water and hydrogen peroxide to soak first thing in the morning. These have kept my trays nice and clean. On my last post kristyjammer says she uses shaving cream when she brushes the retainers!
I haven't needed any hooks or grabby items to get my trays out after all, but I know this is a huge challenge for lots of folks. In the beginning before I got the hang of it I found the paper towel trick worked best. Now I don't need anything. I haven't found the pain bad enough for ice packs. And aside from the first day of the first trays I haven't had to change my diet and live on smoothies and soups. I never got a Waterpik.
If I had to do it over again I wouldn't get the pocketed, sturdy, sensible black zippered case. It's very practical. It's also no fun whatsoever. I plan to correct this. It just reminds me that this thing is a CHORE, and I don't need reminded.
My main tip is to just hang in there in the beginning. No matter how prepared you get you'll probably still be nervous, it will still feel like you'll never be used to the trays, there will be days you'll wonder if you're going to take teeth out when you take the trays out, you'll fear you're doomed to sound like Cindy Brady for all time, and you'll likely have a day where you regret doing this. Give yourself a day or two and it will pass! There's the big adjustment in the beginning, and it surely gets better every time you start a new set. Each set has its own weird challenge depending on what its job is. But I've found that maybe two of my fourteen days are uncomfortable. The rest of the time they're just in and out, no big deal.
Good luck to you, and keep everyone posted. There's lots of support to be had here.
I haven't needed any hooks or grabby items to get my trays out after all, but I know this is a huge challenge for lots of folks. In the beginning before I got the hang of it I found the paper towel trick worked best. Now I don't need anything. I haven't found the pain bad enough for ice packs. And aside from the first day of the first trays I haven't had to change my diet and live on smoothies and soups. I never got a Waterpik.
If I had to do it over again I wouldn't get the pocketed, sturdy, sensible black zippered case. It's very practical. It's also no fun whatsoever. I plan to correct this. It just reminds me that this thing is a CHORE, and I don't need reminded.
My main tip is to just hang in there in the beginning. No matter how prepared you get you'll probably still be nervous, it will still feel like you'll never be used to the trays, there will be days you'll wonder if you're going to take teeth out when you take the trays out, you'll fear you're doomed to sound like Cindy Brady for all time, and you'll likely have a day where you regret doing this. Give yourself a day or two and it will pass! There's the big adjustment in the beginning, and it surely gets better every time you start a new set. Each set has its own weird challenge depending on what its job is. But I've found that maybe two of my fourteen days are uncomfortable. The rest of the time they're just in and out, no big deal.
Good luck to you, and keep everyone posted. There's lots of support to be had here.
January 26, 2016
Hi there. I find your posts so helpful. I was wondering if you could share your experience with me in a couple of areas. How often you go in for appointments with your dentist/orthodontist? On those appointments, do you actually meet with your dentist/orthodontist or a technician? I just went in for my first appointment today after completing 2 trays ( 20% completion of treatment program). My orthodontist did not look at my teeth at all, which was surprising to me. The technician gave me 3 additional trays and said to come back in for an appointment in 6 weeks. So that means I will be half way through my treatment process with no formal form of monitoring from my orthodontist. I am concerned that if something goes wrong there will be a huge setback with the length of time I will have to wear my trays. Like everyone, I am eager to be finished! I I also noticed that you are regularly monitoring your ClinCheck. The office sent me an email but the video sent to me completes in 3 seconds and I am unable to see the progress tray by tray. Are you able to see your progress tray by tray? I was just wondering if I was doing something wrong. I would certainly like to monitor my progress since my orthodontist is not monitoring it at all. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences! I am pretty anxious right now but I hope that I am just overreacting.
January 27, 2016
HI there yourself. Congrats on starting! I'll try to answer the best I can. And others can, and will, probably weigh in as well.
I don't know that there's a standard of care for Invisalign. I'm sure a lot depends on the case complexity and the assessment of the provider. But I can tell you I've read plenty of times that a visit every six weeks is pretty normal, and barely any time with the orthodontist is at least not unheard of. If your case is pretty straightforward it might be a great case for the technician to take on, but I don't know that's just me guessing.
But regardless, sounds like you're nervous and so that should be addressed somehow. Don't let another appointment go down like that, even if you have to call in advance and make sure you're seeing the orthodontist. You should be given access to the person that you chose! This costs a fortune, not just in the trays but all the toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash!
To answer your question about my personal visits, I see my dentist every six weeks for now, and later it might go to every four weeks. But I have a really complex case so when things start moving back into place she said she wanted a close eye on me. She's also trying to find a good place to potentially stop and redo my molds to correct a minor issue she'd like to tackle, and any others that might happen along the way, but honestly I don't care as much if it's just the tiny thing bugging her. I see the dental assistant first in my visits, and she has experience with other complex cases so I feel like she knows what she's looking for. She examines my mouth, and looks at how the new trays are fitting. Then my dentist comes in and does the same. Then I get IPR because life can be so unkind and I will have IPR on every. single. visit. The ClinCheck is up during this process, there's plenty of measuring to make sure they're getting the right spacing. I also go in for a little exam/cleaning every three months with the hygienist to make sure all is spick and span clean. Actually my first one since Invisalign is this weekend and I usually have a few words with the dentist even on followups like that. It's a small practice so lots of attention (this is why I chose them over the three orthos I met with). I don't know how they can tell my teeth are exactly right, but I assume how your teeth fit in the tray is a pretty good clue. Also this team has been in my mouth for over a year doing extensive dental work so they know what it looks like up in there. I can ask for more info when I go get my next set of trays (and birthday IPR!) in a few weeks.
My ClinCheck...I took a video on my iPhone. If you do that you can pause it, and then swipe frame by frame and follow the tabs at the bottom where it marks which tray that's being represented. But it's so subtle tray to tray!
Finally, you're not wrong to be nervous. I think secretly everyone is worried they'll be in the minority for whom this doesn't work. Every so often I see that somebody just doesn't have results and I can't tell what caused that, but it seems to happen. It probably isn't going to happen to you because it does seem rare, but if you're anxious you're anxious and it's too long a treatment to be anxious.
Anyone else have any experience and advice to share? Good luck, and don't hesitate to reach out again!
I don't know that there's a standard of care for Invisalign. I'm sure a lot depends on the case complexity and the assessment of the provider. But I can tell you I've read plenty of times that a visit every six weeks is pretty normal, and barely any time with the orthodontist is at least not unheard of. If your case is pretty straightforward it might be a great case for the technician to take on, but I don't know that's just me guessing.
But regardless, sounds like you're nervous and so that should be addressed somehow. Don't let another appointment go down like that, even if you have to call in advance and make sure you're seeing the orthodontist. You should be given access to the person that you chose! This costs a fortune, not just in the trays but all the toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash!
To answer your question about my personal visits, I see my dentist every six weeks for now, and later it might go to every four weeks. But I have a really complex case so when things start moving back into place she said she wanted a close eye on me. She's also trying to find a good place to potentially stop and redo my molds to correct a minor issue she'd like to tackle, and any others that might happen along the way, but honestly I don't care as much if it's just the tiny thing bugging her. I see the dental assistant first in my visits, and she has experience with other complex cases so I feel like she knows what she's looking for. She examines my mouth, and looks at how the new trays are fitting. Then my dentist comes in and does the same. Then I get IPR because life can be so unkind and I will have IPR on every. single. visit. The ClinCheck is up during this process, there's plenty of measuring to make sure they're getting the right spacing. I also go in for a little exam/cleaning every three months with the hygienist to make sure all is spick and span clean. Actually my first one since Invisalign is this weekend and I usually have a few words with the dentist even on followups like that. It's a small practice so lots of attention (this is why I chose them over the three orthos I met with). I don't know how they can tell my teeth are exactly right, but I assume how your teeth fit in the tray is a pretty good clue. Also this team has been in my mouth for over a year doing extensive dental work so they know what it looks like up in there. I can ask for more info when I go get my next set of trays (and birthday IPR!) in a few weeks.
My ClinCheck...I took a video on my iPhone. If you do that you can pause it, and then swipe frame by frame and follow the tabs at the bottom where it marks which tray that's being represented. But it's so subtle tray to tray!
Finally, you're not wrong to be nervous. I think secretly everyone is worried they'll be in the minority for whom this doesn't work. Every so often I see that somebody just doesn't have results and I can't tell what caused that, but it seems to happen. It probably isn't going to happen to you because it does seem rare, but if you're anxious you're anxious and it's too long a treatment to be anxious.
Anyone else have any experience and advice to share? Good luck, and don't hesitate to reach out again!
January 27, 2016
Thanks so much! It sounds like you are in great hands! Your dentist seems to be very conscientious and I am sure you will have outstanding results. What you described is how I had hoped my appointments be- I think I might have focused too much on the number of cases my orthodontist had completed vs whether his approach would be a good fit for me. I had my heart set on getting the process completed in 5 months but at the end of the day I want to be completely satisfied with my results so I have come to the realization that my process could likely take longer. Hopefully, I will be pleasantly surprised. In 6 weeks I will need more IPR, something I am not looking forward to at all! At my next appointment, I will make sure that my orthodontist does the IPR and also reviews my ClinCheck with me. In the meantime, I am going to take a video of my ClinCheck. Thanks so much for the great idea! Having the video will help to put my mind at ease. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions- I know I have lots of them. :-) Look forward to seeing your progress.
UPDATED FROM Billyburg
1 day pre
Tomorrow!
I can't believe tomorrow is the big day, and the next time I sit down to dinner I'll be cursing these two pieces of plastic that I've waited well over a decade for.
Seriously, I'm so ready to be on my way! I've lived for so long not smiling, but just kind of smirking. It's dawning on me that psychologically that can't be healthy, to not allow yourself a real big smile. It's like physically suppressing your own happiness. So the other day I actually started to practice an open mouth smile and realized my facial muscles above my upper lip were like "um...what is this crazy business about?" This will take some work.
I've also never allowed myself lipstick, to not draw any attention to my mouth. I'm starting to scout some must have colors. It's a long way off - something like 476 days, not that I'm counting or anything - but the idea of a nice red lip really excites me, and will hopefully keep me motivated when the going gets tough. It really is the small things in life right?
Ok let's go.
Seriously, I'm so ready to be on my way! I've lived for so long not smiling, but just kind of smirking. It's dawning on me that psychologically that can't be healthy, to not allow yourself a real big smile. It's like physically suppressing your own happiness. So the other day I actually started to practice an open mouth smile and realized my facial muscles above my upper lip were like "um...what is this crazy business about?" This will take some work.
I've also never allowed myself lipstick, to not draw any attention to my mouth. I'm starting to scout some must have colors. It's a long way off - something like 476 days, not that I'm counting or anything - but the idea of a nice red lip really excites me, and will hopefully keep me motivated when the going gets tough. It really is the small things in life right?
Ok let's go.
Please don't apologize for what you call a long entry. I love the level of detail you've provided and I'm sure the rest of this community will find it helpful also. It sounds like you've been on a long journey to find the right doctor.
I hope you'll keep us updated as you progress through your treatment. Congratulations on taking this step for yourself!