Nishant, a 34-year-old resident of Delhi, was diagnosed with pancreatitis in October 2007. However, the symptoms had started appearing six to seven months earlier. These included recurring pain originating from his back, sometimes mild and other times severe enough to make movement difficult.
Nishant recalls, “Back then, I used to eat out a lot, almost every meal, whether morning or afternoon. One day, I experienced severe abdominal pain radiating to my back. Drinking water made me vomit. My family got scared seeing my condition. Initially, I visited a nearby doctor who prescribed some medications, but they didn’t help. The pain kept worsening, so I was taken to the hospital, where pain-relief injections were administered.”
Along with painkillers, the doctors conducted a blood test. The reports revealed that Nishant was suffering from pancreatitis, and treatment began immediately. The doctors inserted an NJ (nasojejunal) tube. Nishant says, “This tube would constantly drain some fluid. I thought it might be due to drinking contaminated water because sometimes the fluid was green. I stayed in the hospital for 15 days, and during this time, I kept losing weight.”
According to Nishant, the doctors often asked him whether he consumed alcohol and in what quantity. Nishant always replied that he had never consumed alcohol. Despite the treatment, his condition continued to deteriorate over the years. By 2013, Nishant became dependent on a tablet called Creon, which he had to take for four to five years. Skipping the medication made him feel as though his life was at risk. He also developed a fear of eating and stopped consuming even basic foods like potatoes, onions, and garlic.
When the pain struck, Nishant initially tried to hide it, but when it became unbearable after six to seven hours, he would inform his family, who would rush him to the hospital. The doctors would stop his food and water intake, administer painkillers, and temporarily manage the pain. Nishant says, “Watching all this happen repeatedly broke my spirit. Life felt meaningless. My family was afraid to ask me to do anything, and friends stopped inviting me. The period from 2013 to 2018 was terrifying.”
Nishant also tried homeopathic and Ayurvedic treatments, but they didn’t help. Then his father learned about Padaav, a center run by Padma Shri Balendu Prakash, and suggested visiting it. Initially, Nishant refused, but his father persisted, gathering information from platforms like Google and YouTube. Eventually, Nishant agreed. He says, “I was scared because my condition had worsened after visiting another Ayurvedic center earlier. But my experience at Padaav turned out to be entirely different.”
Nishant carried his Creon tablets to Padaav, fearing what might happen if the pain recurred. However, Vaidya Shikha at Padaav asked him to stop all allopathic medications, which made him uneasy. Despite his fears, Nishant followed her advice.
One afternoon, during lunch, a plate with capsicum was served—Nishant’s favorite dish, which he hadn’t eaten in five years. Initially hesitant, fearing the pain might return, he was encouraged to eat. He finally enjoyed a proper meal after years. Over the next seven days, he followed the initial dietary rules. Afterward, he was shifted to a diet of khichdi to cleanse his stomach. Gradually, Nishant adapted to Padaav’s diet schedule.
He had to wake up at 6 AM, drink water, have breakfast at 8 AM, a light snack around 11 AM, evening snacks at 4-5 PM, and dinner at night. During the treatment, Nishant was advised bed rest for four to five months due to extreme weakness. Over time, he began feeling better. On one occasion, Vaidya Shikha congratulated him on his recovery and took him to a café to celebrate. She told him he could eat anything he wanted. Surprised, Nishant ordered pizza. That day, he truly believed he had returned to normal life.
Today, Nishant no longer experiences acidity or recalls those dark days with dread. He is deeply grateful to Padaav and Vaidya Shikha for their support and care.
