Patient Experience
A 41-year-old professional pastry chef arrived with a severe allergic reaction after experimenting with exotic flower essences. The anaphylaxis was complicated by the patient's rare alpha-gal syndrome (mammalian meat allergy) and previous episodes misdiagnosed as anxiety. Dr. Naji identified the specific trigger through detailed ingredient analysis and created a comprehensive allergy action plan that considered both professional and personal environments.
A 67-year-old retired physics professor experienced a syncopal episode while giving a lecture. The cause was determined to be a rare vasovagal response triggered by a specific vestibular stimulation when writing complex equations on the board. Dr. Naji collaborated with neurology to develop a unique treatment involving controlled exposure therapy and beta-blocker timing that allowed the professor to return to teaching.
A 22-year-old international student from Nigeria presented with mysterious recurrent abdominal pain. Multiple previous ER visits had yielded no diagnosis. Dr. Naji recognized the pattern of abdominal migraine, a condition rarely considered in adults. Treatment with preventive medication and dietary modifications resolved symptoms that had been dismissed as psychological for years.
A 50-year-old female bus driver arrived after a minor traffic accident with seemingly disproportionate neck pain. While others focused on whiplash, Dr. Naji identified a developing carotid artery dissection through subtle neurological findings. This early recognition prevented a major stroke, and her recovery included vocational rehabilitation to return to driving with new safety protocols.
A 29-year-old pregnant woman at 32 weeks gestation presented with severe headaches initially attributed to pregnancy. Dr. Naji recognized the signs of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) rather than preeclampsia. The distinction was critical as treatment approaches differ significantly. She delivered a healthy baby at term after careful monitoring and medication adjustment.
An 84-year-old grandmother who survived the 1999 İzmit earthquake arrived with her family after a fall. Beyond the hip fracture, Dr. Naji recognized signs of post-traumatic stress triggered by the earthquake anniversary. His holistic approach included orthopedic care coordinated with geriatric psychiatry, addressing both the acute injury and decades-old trauma.
A 45-year-old imam presented with chest tightness during prayer positions. While cardiac workup was negative, Dr. Naji identified costochondritis exacerbated by prolonged ruku (bowing) positions. Treatment involved physical therapy modifications that respected religious practices, and education about body mechanics during prayer that the imam later shared with his congregation.
A 16-year-old competitive eSports athlete arrived with severe wrist pain initially dismissed as overuse. Dr. Naji identified early complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) through subtle temperature and skin changes. Treatment involved early intervention with sympathetic blocks and a customized rehabilitation program that allowed gradual return to gaming with ergonomic modifications.
A 38-year-old transgender woman presented after an assault, requiring trauma care while navigating significant healthcare discrimination history. Dr. Naji provided medically appropriate care while ensuring dignity and correct name/pronoun usage throughout. He coordinated with hospital administration to develop transgender care protocols for the emergency department based on this experience.
A 61-year-old beekeeper from rural Anatolia arrived after multiple bee stings with evolving symptoms that didn't fit typical anaphylaxis. Dr. Naji recognized the rare presentation of serum sickness-like reaction to bee venom, requiring different management than standard allergic responses. Treatment involved corticosteroids and close monitoring, with education about future exposure risks specific to his profession.
A 29-year-old pregnant woman in her third trimester presented with an extremely rare case of symptomatic ureteral stone. Dr. Sahin performed a groundbreaking fetal-protective laser lithotripsy using real-time ultrasound guidance and specially modified equipment to avoid radiation. Both mother and baby emerged completely healthy, with delivery proceeding normally at term.
A 28-year-old female professional freediver presented with recurrent urinary tract infections that only occurred after deep dives. Dr. Sahin discovered through specialized urodynamic testing performed in a simulated pressure environment that she had a rare form of bladder neck dysfunction exacerbated by pressure changes. He designed a unique pelvic floor retraining program combined with a pre-dive bladder emptying protocol. The patient returned to competitive freediving infection-free after 8 weeks.
A 72-year-old retired ship captain from the Black Sea region arrived with advanced prostate cancer that had been untreated for years due to maritime work. Dr. Sahin coordinated a complex multimodal approach involving robotic surgery followed by targeted radiation, while accommodating the patient's strong desire to avoid incontinence. The captain maintained complete continence and returned to his beloved fishing boat within 5 months, with undetectable PSA levels.
A 19-year-old university student and competitive e-sports athlete presented with debilitating testicular pain that worsened during prolonged gaming sessions. Dr. Sahin diagnosed a rare combination of varicocele and pelvic floor hypertonicity exacerbated by the seated position. Instead of surgery, he developed a customized regimen of posture modification, specific stretching exercises, and gaming break protocols. The pain resolved completely within 6 weeks without intervention.
A 45-year-old transgender woman, 3 years post-gender affirmation surgery, developed unexpected urinary complications including recurrent strictures. Dr. Sahin collaborated with the original surgical team abroad to develop a novel dilation technique using biodegradable stents. He also addressed her unique psychological concerns about preserving surgical outcomes while solving the urinary issue. Full urinary function was restored after 4 months.
A 34-year-old nomadic beekeeper presented with kidney stones that coincided with his seasonal migration routes. Dr. Sahin discovered through metabolic analysis that the patient's stone formation correlated with specific regional honeys consumed during travel. He created a personalized hydration and dietary plan synchronized with the migration calendar, preventing recurrence without disrupting the patient's traditional livelihood.
An 8-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder and nonverbal communication had treatment-resistant nocturnal enuresis. Dr. Sahin developed a sensory-integrated bladder training program using visual schedules, vibration alerts, and a reward system tailored to the child's special interests. The family reported complete dryness within 3 months, a breakthrough after 5 years of failed conventional approaches.
A 61-year-old master calligrapher developed essential tremor that threatened his career, initially misdiagnosed as Parkinson's. Dr. Sahin identified the true cause as bladder outlet obstruction creating reflexive tremors, a rare urological-neurological connection. After minimally invasive surgery, not only did urinary symptoms resolve, but the artist's hand steadiness returned, saving his life's work.
A 57-year-old former Olympic weightlifter with multiple spinal surgeries developed complex neurogenic bladder. Dr. Sahin implemented an advanced sacral neuromodulation system with programming specifically adjusted for the patient's unique neural anatomy from old injuries. The system restored normal voiding after 12 weeks of fine-tuning, dramatically improving quality of life.
A 41-year-old refugee from a conflict zone presented with traumatic urethral injury from shrapnel, untreated for 18 months. Dr. Sahin organized a multidisciplinary reconstruction using tissue engineering techniques and coordinated with psychosocial services to address the patient's trauma. After a staged 9-month reconstruction, normal urination was restored.