Spec. MD. Fulya Gulergun

A 72-year-old retired shipyard welder from a low-income neighborhood presented with progressive shortness of breath, initially diagnosed as COPD by another physician. Dr. Gulergun noted subtle differences in his pulmonary function tests and ordered a rare heavy metal panel, revealing cadmium pneumonitis from historical welding fumes. She initiated chelation therapy alongside pulmonary rehabilitation, resulting in 40% improvement in lung function, a diagnosis missed for eight years.

A 17-year-old competitive chess player developed unexplained episodes of hyperventilation and air hunger during tournaments. Dr. Gulergun identified through capnography that he had developed idiopathic hypocalcemia-related bronchospasm triggered by stress-induced respiratory alkalosis. Treatment involved calcium supplementation and breathing retraining rather than bronchodilators. His tournament performance improved dramatically, and he went on to compete internationally.

A 45-year-old immigrant mushroom farmer presented with severe interstitial lung disease. Dr. Gulergun suspected hypersensitivity pneumonitis but discovered through meticulous occupational history that he was exposed to a rare thermophilic actinomycete species unique to his native region's cultivation methods. She designed a personalized antigen avoidance protocol and steroid regimen, preventing progression to fibrosis when similar cases typically progress rapidly.

A 33-year-old pregnant woman in her third trimester developed sudden-onset pulmonary hypertension. Dr. Gulergun recognized it as a rare manifestation of choriocarcinoma rather than typical peripartum cardiomyopathy. Her urgent diagnosis and coordination with oncology saved both mother and baby, with complete resolution after chemotherapy, a case where pulmonary symptoms unveiled a hidden malignancy.

A 28-year-old female freediving instructor presented with recurrent episodes of 'shallow water blackout' symptoms without actual loss of consciousness. Dr. Gulergun discovered through specialized pulmonary function testing and arterial blood gas analysis that she had developed an unusually low hypoxic ventilatory response. Instead of standard treatment, Dr. Gulergun collaborated with a sports physiologist to design a breath-hold training modification program. The patient returned to competitive freediving within six months with monitored safety protocols.