Murlee Arya, 33, a school teacher from Sendhwa, Barwani in Madhya Pradesh has been handling his own Sickle Cell condition to the best of his abilities. He shares tips on how to stay healthy.
Please tell us about your present condition. Can you describe it?
My current condition is good. At present, I do not have any health problems. For the past 15 to 18 months, I have not experienced even mild pain or any significant health-related difficulties.
When were you diagnosed?
I was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease approximately 10 years ago.
How did the diagnosis come about? Initial signs/symptoms?
I experienced intense and unbearable pain in the hands and the feet and also in the hip. And this was very sudden. Ever since I was a child, that is, before I turned 10, whenever I fell ill, my parents would take me to the hospital and every doctor would diagnose me with a different disease. Whenever I fell ill, I would experience intense pain in my arms, legs, and lower back. Some doctors diagnosed it as arthritis, some said it was rheumatism. No one mentioned the term Sickle Cell. They would usually prescribe injections and medicines for a few days. At that time, my grandfather used to grind medicinal herbs on a stone and apply them to my body, which provided some relief. My parents often carried me on their shoulders to the hospital.
When I was in Class 12, I began thinking that if God created the human body, then the body must also have the ability to heal itself to some extent. This thought led me to develop an interest in yoga and healthy living.
Ten years back, after I experienced this intense pain, I went to a doctor. He looked at the signs and diagnosed it as Sickle Cell disease, without running any tests at all. Later on, I got a Sickling test done in the lab. And Sickle Cell was confirmed.
Do you have any family history of Sickle Cell?
There is no history of Sickle Cell condition in my family, as no one has ever been diagnosed with it.
What treatment are you on? What pills including supplements do you take daily?
After I was diagnosed, I was given a medicine. I took it for 6 months. And I was better for 3 or 4 years, experiencing only occasional mild pain. One morning around 5 a.m., I was practicing yoga and performed some heavy physical exercises. Soon afterwards, I developed lower back pain that spread to my chest. My chest felt tight, and I even had difficulty speaking.
I visited a doctor and received an injection. The chest pain improved, but the pain in my lower back and hips became extremely severe. I could barely walk. I was then taken to a hospital in Khargone. My abdomen became swollen, and it felt even more bloated when I ate food or drank water. For nearly three days, I was unable to pass urine or stool. I was in intense pain. My hip pained terribly. The doctor there recorded videos while discussing my condition and admitted me to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where I stayed for about 4 days.. My father, uncle and wife stayed with me during that difficult period.
When I was released, I could barely walk, and this condition continued for about 2 months. I gradually got better. And it took about a month for my pain to be relieved. After about two months from being released, I started on homeopathic medicine, and I have not experienced such pain till now.
I also received a blood transfusion. The treating doctor informed me that he had never managed a patient with Sickle Cell Disease earlier. I was discharged on the fifth day and prescribed folic acid and other medicines to improve my blood levels.
For many years, I mainly relied on paracetamol and other pain-relief medicines whenever I experienced pain. I did not receive any specialized treatment during that time.
What medicines and supplements are you on now?
Around the same time, my wife met a woman who told her about doctors at a Medical Store in Nisarpur, near Barwani. She explained that the doctors there specifically treated people with Sickle Cell Disease using homeopathic medicines and that the treatment was provided free of cost.
She also mentioned that her children were receiving treatment there and benefiting from it.
I decided to visit them and have been receiving homeopathic treatment from them for the past five years. The medicines are provided free of charge to Sickle Cell patients. The doctors also taught me how to take proper care of myself and prevent complications.
These medicines were prescribed from the beginning of my treatment, although currently I’m at present continuing with only four.
On 7 December 2025, a Sickle Cell Medical Camp was organized at the Medical Store, Nisarpur. Mr. Gautam Dongre, patient advocate and head of NASCO was also invited to the event. He provided education and awareness about Sickle Cell Disease and emphasized that Hydroxyurea and Folic Acid are extremely important medicines for people living with this condition.
Later, in March 2026, a government Sickle Cell Medical Camp was organized in the Sendhwa Block. Around 200 patients participated, and Hydroxyurea and Folic Acid were distributed free of charge.
Since then, I have been taking Hydroxyurea and Folic Acid regularly.
In addition, I practice yoga and hand mudras for about 30 minutes every morning and again before going to bed at night. These practices have helped me greatly, and today I feel almost like a healthy person.
What does a typical day look like for you living with the Sickle Cell condition?
My life is very similar to that of a healthy person. At present, I do not face any major challenges because of my condition.
How do pain episodes (crises) affect your routine, work, or studies?
My studies and work have not been significantly affected. I work as a teacher.
However, I avoid excessive physical exertion. I do not lift heavy weights or engage in activities that require intense physical labour.
How has living with sickle cell disease impacted your mental or emotional health?
I cannot perform strenuous physical work, play sports intensely, or run around as much as other people. I sometimes feel physically weaker than others.
Before I started practicing yoga regularly, I often felt worried and unhappy because of my illness. Since beginning a daily yoga routine in the morning and evening, I feel calmer, happier, and more emotionally balanced.
I would also like to share my daily practices with others. For this purpose, I created a YouTube channel called "Pure Reform Life," where I aim to teach hand mudras and share information that may help people living with Sickle Cell Disease as well as others interested in improving their health.
Have you encountered stigma or misunderstanding from others?
Neither my family nor my friends have ever treated me badly because of my illness. Instead, they encourage me to stay healthy by avoiding cold weather, avoiding getting wet in the rain, and maintaining a good diet.
I also try not to let other people's opinions affect me. However, I do have a low body weight and currently weigh less than 48 kilograms.
How has the condition affected your relationships with family, friends, or partners?
I have not experienced any major problems in my relationships because of Sickle Cell Disease.
Has sickle cell disease influenced your education or career?
No. I completed an M.Sc. in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.). My condition did not prevent me from pursuing higher education or building my career.
What advice would you give to others with Sickle cell?
Avoid exposure to cold weather and avoid getting wet, as these can trigger pain episodes.
Pain often becomes worse when blood flow is reduced and circulation is affected.
Pay close attention to your diet. Eat fresh food and avoid excessively spicy meals. Light and easily digestible food is generally better. I also prefer avoiding meat-based foods. Digestive problems and acidity can be harmful for people living with Sickle Cell condition.
Since Sickle Cell condition affects red blood cells, it is important to manage nutrition carefully. Excessive iron intake may not always be beneficial and should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Practice yoga regularly. In my experience, it is very helpful.
