Shilpi’s Struggle: From Schoolground Pain to a 100x Medical Crisis

Shilpi’s struggle began suddenly during her 10th-grade school break, when she felt a sharp pain in her upper abdomen. Initially, she tried to walk it off, keeping her hand pressed against her stomach in what she would later realize was the “typical pancreatitis position.” However, the pain persisted, leading to her first hospitalization and a diagnosis that left her family bewildered: Acute Pancreatitis. Despite being just 15, she was thrust into a world of cannulas and IV drips, with doctors warning that the “red momo chutney” or junk food might be the culprit.

The conventional medical response initially offered a glimmer of hope when she remained pain-free for seven years, but the nightmare returned with a vengeance in July 2022. Following a trip to Rishikesh and a night of overeating, Shilpi woke up to violent vomiting and a relapse so severe her Amylase and Lipase levels were 100 times the normal limit. She suffered a staggering weight loss of 15 to 20 kg, leaving her dangerously frail. While surgeons eventually removed her gallbladder due to stones, the fear of recurring attacks turned her into an introvert, terrified that every minor stomach ache was a one-way ticket back to a hospital bed.

The Padaav Pivot: A Search for a “Root” Cure

As a BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) student, Shilpi had a unique perspective; she was studying the very science that claimed to have a solution. While her family was initially hesitant due to the financial commitment, the failure of modern medicine to provide a permanent cure led them to search for specialists. Her father discovered that Vaidya Balendu Prakash specialized specifically in the disease she was suffering from.

Upon meeting Vaidya Shikha Prakash, Shilpi’s “question mark mind” was instantly cleared. Shikha Prakash didn’t just see a patient; she saw a “junior” and a future doctor. She provided a definitive explanation of the treatment process, transforming Shilpi’s skepticism into a firm decision to reclaim her health. In March 2023, Shilpi officially began her journey at Padaav.

The Recovery: Identity, Variety, and Academic Growth

The recovery at Padaav involved a 21-day inpatient phase that served as both a clinical treatment and a professional mentorship, followed by a disciplined one-year regimen.

• Clinical Empowerment: Vaidya Shikha encouraged Shilpi to study the morphology and physiology of the pancreas and even assigned her to conduct a class for other patients. This transformed her identity from a “suffering patient” to a “student doctor,” boosting her mental resilience.

• Nutritional Abundance: Contrary to the restrictive “boiled food” diet she had been following, Padaav introduced her to a diverse meal plan that included ghee, milk products, dal, rice, and salad. She realized that her “medicine” could actually be tasty.

• The Six-Meal System: Shilpi strictly followed the six-meal-a-day protocol for a full year. This consistent nutrition allowed her to regain the weight she had lost, moving from a fragile 37 kg to a healthy 47 kg.

• Accessible Support: Shilpi found immense comfort in the accessibility of the doctors. Vaidya Shikha would often pick up her calls within two rings or reply to texts within minutes, providing a safety net that prevented minor panics from escalating.

The Outcome: Reclaiming a Long and Healthy Life

Today, Shilpi is a 24-year-old future doctor who has been pain-free for two years. The girl who once missed college parties and lived on bland khichdi now enjoys a full, vibrant life with a restored appetite. She no longer views her illness with bitterness; instead, she believes “everything happens for a reason” and that her journey through pancreatitis led her to a deeper understanding of Ayurveda and her own strength.

Shilpi’s Message: “Don’t think you are alone in this. My interest in food and life returned because of Padaav. If your medicine is as tasty as the meals there, and if you follow the discipline, you can move from just surviving to truly living.”

Experience at Padaav

Shilpi describes Padaav not as a sterile hospital, but as a “family” and a place of happiness. It was there that she found a community of patients sharing their journeys and a staff that treated her with genuine care. The experience was so profound that she considers opting for the Padaav treatment one of the most important and best decisions of her life.