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I don't remember much after being loaded into the ambulance other than begging the EMS crew to shoot me full of epinephrine , which they wouldn't do because *I* was not a doctor and didn't know asthma treatment protocol. At the hospital I heard one of the Paramedics tell the ER people "He was asking for epinephrine all the way here."

One would think they would phone up ahead and ask an emergency room doctor if they should inject the epinephrine you wanted.

The thing is... People who have potentially fatal medical conditions are usually very well educated about their condition. There may be some exceptions, but of all the asthmatics I have met all of them are very familiar with the procedures on how to treat their asthmatic episode.

Being an asthmatic myself, I am familiar with the course of treatment at varying levels. Emergency treatment, maintenance treatment and urgent treatment. I am familiar with my lungs' capabilities and know when I need to go to the ER versus taking my peak flow readings periodically while sitting tight and waiting for the episode to pass.

The request for epinephrine was not some random course of treatment for an anphylactic episode. Depending on the severity of asthma, physicians prescribe the epi-pens mentioned in a previous post, and various other emergency/urgent treatment options.

Sometimes the patient knows exactly what is needed, whether the doctor is around or not...

I know type I diabetics would agree with me...

--erik