Patient Experience
A 22-year-old professional ballet dancer presented with recurrent syncope during performances. Dr. Alan diagnosed neurocardiogenic syncope with a unique vasodepressor component exacerbated by dehydration and prolonged standing. Treatment involved increased salt intake, compression garments, and tailored hydration strategies. She returned to stage performances after implementing the regimen.
A 65-year-old retired fisherman presented with cognitive decline initially attributed to aging. Dr. Alan identified normal pressure hydrocephalus through gait analysis and imaging. After ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement, the patient's mobility and cognition improved dramatically. His fishing community organized transportation for follow-up appointments.
A 29-year pregnant woman at 32 weeks gestation presented with hypertension and visual disturbances. Dr. Alan diagnosed HELLP syndrome variant with atypical liver enzyme patterns. Coordination with obstetrics resulted in controlled delivery and maternal stabilization. The patient required three weeks of specialized postpartum monitoring before full recovery.
A 48-year-old immigrant restaurant owner presented with abdominal pain and flushing. Dr. Alan diagnosed carcinoid syndrome with hepatic metastases, the tumors likely stimulated by chronic stress and irregular eating patterns inherent to his work. Treatment involved somatostatin analogs and dietary modifications. His employees modified the restaurant schedule to support his treatment.
A 17-year-old male high school athlete presented with exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Dr. Alan identified wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis triggered by specific food-timing before workouts. The diagnosis required elimination of wheat four hours before exercise. The school athletic department implemented special protocols for his training and competitions.
A 70-year-old retired chemistry teacher presented with progressive neuropathy. Dr. Alan diagnosed chronic arsenic toxicity from well water contamination in her village home. Treatment involved chelation therapy and water source remediation organized through environmental health services. Recovery was partial but significant over nine months.
A 36-year-old female archaeologist recently returned from a dig in Anatolia presented with fever and splenomegaly. Dr. Alan diagnosed visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar), rarely seen in urban Istanbul. Treatment involved liposomal amphotericin B. Her academic institution provided extended medical leave during the six-month recovery period.
A 52-year-old male bus driver presented with morning headaches and polycythemia. Dr. Alan diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea with secondary erythrocytosis, exacerbated by his sedentary job and irregular schedule. Treatment involved CPAP therapy and workplace accommodation for schedule regularization. Symptoms resolved completely after four months of consistent treatment.
The recovery process was smooth thanks to Dr. Spec. MD. Omer Atalay's expertise. Highly recommend for pathology treatment.
My family and I are grateful for the care we received from Dr. Spec. MD. Omer Atalay. The hospital staff was also very supportive.
Our 16-year-old competitive swimmer, Efe, developed sudden, unexplained muscle weakness that threatened his athletic career. After months of inconclusive tests elsewhere, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elif Acar Arslan identified a rare neuromuscular junction disorder through a specialized repetitive nerve stimulation test she personally performed. Her tailored immunotherapy protocol allowed Efe to return to national competitions within six months, she didn't just treat a patient, she saved a young athlete's dream.
When our 8-month-old daughter, Zeynep, began having infantile spasms that looked like simple startle reflexes, we almost missed them. Dr. Arslan recognized the subtle pattern immediately during a routine consultation for a different concern. Her swift diagnosis of West syndrome and initiation of ACTH therapy within 48 hours prevented developmental regression. Today, at age 3, Zeynep is meeting all milestones, a testament to Dr. Arslan's extraordinary observational skills.
As parents of a nonverbal 6-year-old with autism and unexplained nocturnal screaming episodes, we felt helpless. Dr. Arslan suspected silent migraines rather than behavioral issues. She designed a sensory-friendly diagnostic approach using observational diaries and video monitoring instead of stressful tests. Her preventive medication protocol transformed our nights, the first time in years our family slept peacefully.
Our 14-year-old son, Kaan, developed sudden-onset obsessive-compulsive behaviors and tics after a mild flu. Multiple doctors dismissed it as psychiatric. Dr. Arslan recognized PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders) immediately. Her comprehensive treatment combining immunomodulation and neurological rehabilitation was life-changing. She treated him as a whole person, coordinating with his school for academic accommodations during recovery.
When our newborn, Alara, failed her hearing screening repeatedly, we were referred to Dr. Arslan who discovered it wasn't an auditory issue but a rare brainstem dysfunction affecting sound processing. Her innovative use of auditory brainstem response testing in conjunction with neuroimaging revealed the true cause. Her early intervention with specialized auditory therapy prevented speech delays, Alara now babbles constantly at 18 months.
As international workers from Germany, we brought our 10-year-old, Lukas, to Istanbul with worsening epilepsy uncontrolled by three medications. Dr. Arslan implemented a ketogenic diet protocol so meticulously tailored that she coordinated with our hotel kitchen during our stay. Within three weeks, seizure frequency dropped by 90%. She continued remote monitoring when we returned home, demonstrating exceptional commitment beyond borders.
Our 5-year-old, Deniz, had mysterious episodes of unsteady gait that occurred only during fever. Other neurologists dismissed it as normal imbalance. Dr. Arslan diagnosed a rare channelopathy called Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome (FIRES) prodrome. Her preventive strategy using fever management and emergency medication stopped progression to full FIRES, potentially preventing catastrophic epilepsy.
When our teenage daughter, İrem, developed chronic daily headaches, Dr. Arslan identified medication overuse headache from excessive painkiller use for menstrual cramps. Instead of just stopping medication, she created a comprehensive plan addressing both the headache cycle and underlying gynecological issues through collaboration with a pediatric gynecologist, a holistic approach rarely seen.
Our 2-year-old, Arda, had developmental regression after normal infancy. Dr. Arslan suspected a metabolic disorder and ordered specialized genetic testing that revealed a treatable cerebral folate deficiency. Her treatment with folinic acid supplementation resulted in dramatic improvement within weeks, Arda regained lost skills and continues to make progress, defying the initial grim prognosis.
As foster parents to a 4-year-old trauma survivor with unexplained staring spells, we appreciated Dr. Arslan's trauma-informed approach. She distinguished between dissociative episodes and absence seizures through careful observation in a low-stress play environment. Her diagnosis of non-epileptic events saved the child from unnecessary antiepileptic medications and guided appropriate psychological care.