Where was your pediatric endochrinoligist during all this? He/she should have been the person making sure the ER doctors understood what they needed to do. He/she also should have advised you to give the shot before leaving for the ER since the shot is supposed to be a "stop-gap" measure to keep the system stable until the ER can treat your child. We’ve never taken our child to the ER with a adrenal crisis without first giving the shot. In many cases the trip to the ER isn’t necessary after the shot stabilizes them.