Patient Experience
Our 8-year-old daughter, Elif, had been battling recurrent, severe pneumonia for two years. Local doctors were stumped. We traveled to Antalya as a last resort. Dr. Berber didn't just see a sick child; he saw a puzzle. He spent an hour just listening to her entire history, asking about things no one else had, like a strange rash she had as a baby. His diagnosis was a rare primary immunodeficiency called Hyper-IgM syndrome. It wasn't just a label; he drew us a diagram, explaining exactly how her immune system was 'mis-wiring' itself. The tailored IVIG treatment plan he started has been life-changing. She's been infection-free for six months and is finally back at school. He gave us our daughter's childhood back.
As a 72-year-old with 'mystery' hives and joint swelling that baffled my own doctors, I felt dismissed as just a 'complicated elderly case.' A friend recommended Dr. Zafer Berber. His approach was a revelation. He reviewed my old records from the 1990s and connected dots no one else had, suspecting an adult-onset autoimmune issue masquerading as allergies. He ordered a very specific cytokine panel I'd never heard of. The result? A confirmed, rare autoinflammatory syndrome. He started me on a targeted biologic, and for the first time in five years, I am not itching or in pain. He treated me with the investigative rigor of a detective, not the resignation some show towards older patients.
Our 18-month-old son, Atlas, went into anaphylactic shock after his first taste of egg. The ER stabilized him but offered no long-term path except 'avoid all eggs.' Terrified, we sought out Dr. Berber. He proposed something bold: oral immunotherapy (OIT) under strict, controlled supervision in his clinic. For months, we went weekly. He and his team were calm, meticulous, and incredibly reassuring. They started with a microscopic dose of egg protein and gradually increased it. Yesterday, Atlas ate a small piece of cake with baked egg without a single reaction. Dr. Berber didn't just manage a fear; he engineered a cure. His methodical, courageous approach gave our son freedom.
I'm a 30-year-old researcher who developed bizarre, recurring infections after a bout of mononucleosis. Being scientifically minded, I came to Dr. Berber with my own stack of papers and theories. Instead of being annoyed, he was engaged. He said, 'Good, let's investigate this together.' He ordered a deep immunophenotyping flow cytometry, explaining each cell subset's function as the results came in. He identified a specific NK cell deficiency post-viral. His plan wasn't just medication; it was a detailed 'immune reconstitution' strategy involving specific vaccinations, supplements, and monitoring. He speaks the language of science but translates it into compassionate, actionable care. He's a true physician-scientist.