Aviral’s Early Struggle: From Freelance Shoots to Physical Collapse

Aviral’s journey began in November 2022 while he was actively working as a freelancer. The initial pain was intense and debilitating, often forcing him to leave shoots and return home. Early local consultations and ultrasounds were inconclusive, often suggesting only a “fatty liver”. As the attacks became more frequent, ranging from every few months to every week, hospital visits in Dehradun and Delhi became routine.

The situation reached a critical peak on April 4, 2024. Aviral had been on a liquid diet since April 1 to manage a lingering ache. While walking to a market to buy coconut water, he collapsed on the street in excruciating pain. A bystander used Aviral’s phone to call his mother, Neeta, reporting that her son was writhing in agony on the road. Even emergency painkillers failed to provide relief.

The Systemic Breakdown: Chronic Diagnosis and “Google Maharaj”

Upon admission to the ICU at Max Hospital, Aviral’s health had plummeted. His blood sugar levels had surged to nearly 400 mg/dL, signaling the onset of secondary diabetes. He was immediately started on insulin.

The medical prognosis was grim. Doctors informed Neeta that Aviral’s condition had progressed from acute to Chronic Pancreatitis. They were told the disease was “incurable” and that attacks would continue for the rest of his life. Specialists at other premier institutes like AIIMS diagnosed the condition but admitted they had no permanent cure, advising the family to “just bring him back when the next attack happens”. For the next 1.5 years, the family lived in a state of constant terror, managing pain with high-dose painkillers like Ultracet.

The Padaav Pivot: Faith Over Skepticism

Exhausted by the “revolving door” of hospital admissions, the family researched online and found Vaidya Balendu Prakash at Padaav. Aviral was initially highly skeptical of Ayurveda, fearing it was too slow and would hinder his career. Neeta, however, was desperate for a solution and practically forced him to go.

Upon arriving at Padaav, the environment felt different. Vaidya Shikha Prakash spent time with them, delivering a life-changing assurance: “Chronic Pancreatitis cannot be reversed, but I guarantee that he will be free from major attacks”. For the first time, a medical professional took responsibility for the outcome. Neeta describes meeting Vaidya Shikha as meeting “a form of God” due to the hope and compassion she provided.

The Recovery: Discipline and the 21-Day Habit Reset

The recovery at Padaav began with a 21-day residential program. Unlike the ICU, there were no IV drips or nurses rushing in; instead, there was a focus on habit-forming discipline.

• The First Night: When Aviral experienced mild pain on his first night, Dr. Anil monitored him throughout the night, encouraging him to rely on the Ayurvedic treatment rather than his usual painkillers.

• Biological Clock: Aviral learned the importance of the circadian rhythm—waking, sleeping, and eating at fixed intervals.

• Self-Monitoring: He was required to maintain a daily log of his food intake and symptoms, which was rigorously reviewed by the clinical team.

• Nutrition: Transitioning to a balanced diet, he found he could eventually enjoy normal food without the fear of immediate pain.

The Outcome: From ICU to Pain-Free Living

The results were definitive. Since starting his treatment at Padaav, Aviral has remained pain-free and has not suffered a single attack. He has resumed his media work, albeit with a new focus on health-first living. While he previously feared the cost of Ayurveda, Neeta reflects that the cost of Padaav is minimal compared to the lakhs spent on recurring ICU admissions that offered no cure.

His Message: “I used to think Ayurveda was too slow for my career, but Padaav gave me my life back. The discipline of the first year is a small price to pay for a future free from pain”.

Experience at Padaav

Neeta Saxena describes Padaav as more than a clinic; she felt a “divine energy” in the atmosphere. She kept a photo of the center’s temple and framed it in her home as a symbol of the miracle they experienced. She emphasizes that Vaidya Shikha treats patients like a mother, providing both the love and the strict discipline (even scolding Aviral when he missed his email updates) necessary for total recovery.