The shot is Solu-Cortef, the injectable version of hydrocortisone.  It has definately saved my daughter’s life on several occasions.  She perks up so quickly that we too find ourselves wondering why in the world we didn’t give it sooner.  Sometimes when ill the stomach will secret  protective stuff that will make it impossible for anything to be absorbed.  In cases of food poisoning this is a good thing.  In cases of CAH and needing to get a triple dose of meds in this is a bad thing.  There have been times that I can just tell that the oral meds are not gettting in, at least not quick enough.  Then we give the shot and all is well!  The shot has kept us out of the ER (we always call the endo to make sure).  I feel you have been very fortunate with your children so far but I would ask your endo next visit for an RX and learn how  to give it and when to use it.  Julia