Twenty months ago I was having chest pains and left work and drove myself to the ER. I will never forget the look I got from the nurse when she heard I drove in. I was stupid and lucky. I had 6 bypasses the next day.
Driving yourself to the ER is always a bad idea, which is why I probably won't do it again... The last time, I did it, I was told that I was going to need back surgury in the next few days, after having given me some demerol. I had a disc rupture into my spinal canal, and I was losing control of my right leg, as the injury got worse. Of course I was in incredible pain. When they released me, they asked where my ride was, and I just told the nurse that they had gone out to get the car. When nobody was looking, I drove myself back to work, and once there, asked for some time off for my surgery.
Mark
I drove myself when I had my first heart attack. The doctor wasn't happy with it but he told me if I'd waited for an ambulance I might not have made it at all.