@progressfinally
and
@zmcarver
I agree. I suggest adding a written page to the emergency kit: one side listing medications and allergies, and the other a short version of the Addison’s crisis protocol.

The reason for this is:
Personal Experience Report No. 1
(Six additional reports detailing instances of misdiagnosis are available upon request.)

My first serious medical experience after I moved from the US to Germany occurred when my general practitioner referred me to a regional hospital due to severe lower abdominal pain, restricted mobility, and suspected inflammatory disease. Upon admission, I informed the hospital staff about my diagnosed adrenal insufficiency and explicitly emphasized the urgency of a cortisol test. At that time, I was already severely weakened and showed clear signs of cognitive impairment.

During the inpatient admission process, several failed attempts were made to insert a venous line in my arm, until a vein in my hand was finally used. The nurse commented, “You have bad veins”. My mention of having Von Willebrand Syndrome Type 2 and 5 was met with no understanding or response.

After 12 hours of saline infusion, my hand was noticeably swollen. A nurse hit my swollen hand to wake me and remarked: Your hand is swollen – you need to press the call button. The noticeably confused state I was in went unrecognized.

On the second day, a CT scan was performed, which revealed diverticulosis – a diagnosis that had been known for over 35 years. During the morning ward round, I was then advised to undergo colon surgery, without any further investigations or discussion. Once again, I strongly emphasized the need for a cortisol test – again, there was no response from the medical staff.

On the third day, the infusion therapy had slightly stabilized my condition. I remembered my emergency kit in my suitcase, injected myself intramuscularly with hydrocortisone, and was able to stabilize myself temporarily. During the subsequent ward round, the attending physician remarked, “You have recovered very well here – so now we can talk about the colon surgery”. At that point, it became clear to me that I was on the verge of becoming the victim of a serious medical error. I immediately demanded to be discharged.

Despite multiple notes that I react with anaphylactoid responses to sulfate-based medications and fluoroquinolones, my discharge papers included a prescription for ciprofloxacin, a drug from precisely this substance group.

My case clearly illustrates the risks of inadequate, standardized, and poorly patient-centered medical treatment. Chronically ill and complex patients, in particular, need careful, individualized, and evidence-based care—supported by expertise, attentiveness, and genuine, respectful communication. The current system has serious shortcomings that not only cause suffering on a personal level but also increase national economic costs in the long run.

It is my wish to draw more attention to this issue and to work together to find solutions that sustainably improve the quality of care.