M.D. Hülya Altıntaş

My 8-year-old son developed sudden, terrifying facial tics and vocal outbursts after a viral infection. Our local doctor suspected Tourette's, and we were frantic. Dr. Hülya Altıntaş was a beacon of calm. She didn't just observe; she engaged him in playful neurological games, tested his reflexes with a story about 'superhero reactions,' and spent an hour explaining pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders (PANS) to us in Turkish, with drawings! She started a targeted treatment, and within weeks, our boy was back to his quiet, smiling self. Her approach with children is magical—she treats the whole family's fear.

As a 72-year-old retired history professor, I noticed my handwriting becoming a cramped, illegible scrawl and developed a persistent, painless tremor in my left hand only when at rest. Dr. Altıntaş's diagnostic process was like a scholarly investigation. She asked about my work, had me describe historical events to assess my recall, and watched me walk. Her diagnosis of early Parkinson's was delivered with profound empathy but also a clear, step-by-step action plan involving medication, physical therapy referrals, and lifestyle adjustments. She didn't just give me a label; she gave me back a sense of control over the narrative of my own health.

I was admitted to Acıbadem Bakırköy's ER at 3 AM after collapsing with the worst headache of my life—a 'thunderclap.' Dr. Altıntaş was there within minutes. Her emergency assessment was swift yet meticulously thorough. She ordered an immediate CT angiogram, which revealed a small, leaking cerebral aneurysm. What struck me was her clarity under pressure. She explained the imminent risk of a major bleed in direct, urgent terms, coordinated with the neurosurgeon within the hour, and stayed to reassure my terrified wife. This wasn't a routine checkup; it was life-saving intervention delivered with incredible competence and decisive calm.

For years, I suffered from debilitating, chronic migraines that no medication could fully control. My case was complex, with overlapping tension-type headaches. Dr. Altıntaş approached it like a master puzzle-solver. She had me keep a detailed 'headache diary,' analyzing triggers from weather patterns to specific foods. She then proposed a novel combination therapy—a preventive medication alongside a nerve block procedure she performed herself with precise, gentle skill. The follow-up visits weren't rushed; she adjusted the plan based on my feedback. It's been six months, and my migraine days have reduced by 80%. She treated a complex, chronic condition with the patience and innovation of a true specialist.