My anemia was misdiagnosed for years. Then I went into the emergency room and was admitted for kidney failure. The doctor finally diagnosed anemia. They started transfusions every month, then shots to stimulate my bone marrow to produce blood. The doctor thought I had blood cancer. I had a lot of tests and it turned out I didn't have blood cancer.

I am glad you don't have blood cancer. I was finally checked, my hgb was 8.5. They did not transfuse and still having symptoms. I might have uterine Cancer, ruling it out now.

I wasted time between two doctors, a hematologist and a gastroenterologist that kept me coming back for tests and procedures for over four years. I went outside my area and found two excellent doctors who quickly diagnosed the cause of my anemia and received treatment.

I can't begin to describe the anxiety I experienced with the two original doctors. All they were doing was eliminating many scary possibilities while my new doctors quickly diagnosed and treated. The first gastroenterologist was recommending surgery which would have been life-altering. I did some research and luckily found these two which offered hope, FINALLY after four plus years.

If you aren't getting the answers you deserve, start looking for another doctor, preferably one in a nearby city affiliated with a good hospital. I wish I had done this sooner!

Caroline04---Thank you for your recommendation. This is something that I will surely think about. I have been diagnosed with anemia since last year. My numbers are low and lower. My PCP is doing as you say, using the process of elimination. I am just about ready to chuck him for this issue and go to a Hematologist. I generally live by the expression, "Expect the worse, but hope for the best." I guess that I am a little pessimistic., but, I want to know what the cause is, regardless. My Brother-In-Law just died from Leukemia, so I am somewhat frightened about all of this stuff and I want to hopefully, get some good news for a change.

My doctor is now saying that I may be bleeding somewhere internally, so he needs to run a whole battery of tests. I am against this. Too mush time is lost and the worrying alone is keeping me awake. I think I am calling a Hematologist today. I WANT TO KNOW...

Gastrointestinal bleeding may not be all so common but it is always a possibility. Of course, the testing is not so wonderful, I had scopes, swallowed two capsules with cameras plus many other tests from the hematology group. Ended up with three bone biopsies, iron infusions, numerous procedures....finally the gastro dr. began discussing surgery. There is a procedure called argon plasma coagulation, and when I mentioned it to him he claimed I was not a good candidate. Found another dr. that did it and I am better than before. Hemoglobin still fluctuating but at least not down to 8 where I was before! If they should determine you are bleeding, don't let them cut before getting another opinion! Find the best gastro guy you can find-I researched online! If they are reluctant to explain things in a way you can understand, walk out the door. I wish you luck and hope they can determine and fix your problem. I went four years not knowing and it was almost pushing me over the edge. One thing that irritates me is when a doctor talks down to me or uses his knowledge to talk in technical terms they know I don't understand. I see no reason for this whatsoever,