Patient Experience
A 28-year-old nomadic beekeeper from rural Anatolia presented with cyclical fevers and migratory joint pain that followed his apiary's seasonal routes. Dr. Selvi identified a rare hypersensitivity to propolis combined with Bartonella henselae from an undocumented cat scratch, creating a unique inflammatory syndrome. Treatment involved a tailored desensitization protocol alongside targeted antibiotics, allowing the patient to maintain his ancestral livelihood with modified protective gear.
A 72-year-old retired Byzantine art conservator arrived with unexplained weight loss and intermittent confusion. Her symptoms coincided with handling recently restored fresco fragments. Dr. Selvi discovered acute intermittent porphyria triggered by chemical solvents used in restoration, complicated by lead leaching from ancient pigments. A multidisciplinary approach with environmental modifications and heme therapy restored her cognitive function within three months.
A 19-year-old competitive freediver developed recurrent hemoptysis after deep dives in the Aegean. Standard pulmonary workups were normal. Dr. Selvi identified rare pulmonary capillary stress failure exacerbated by a previously undiagnosed hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia variant. Customized dive depth limits and targeted antiangiogenic therapy allowed controlled continuation of her sport.
A 45-year-old transcontinental truck driver presented with episodic paralysis following consumption of specific roadside diner foods across different countries. Dr. Selvi diagnosed thyrotoxic periodic paralysis triggered by transient hyperthyroidism from intermittent iodine exposure in various regional cuisities, combined with genetic potassium channel sensitivity. Dietary mapping and contingency plans enabled safe continued work.