Bam's Spreadsheet - just tested low at 66

Discussion in 'Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars' started by Jill A, Feb 27, 2018.

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  1. Jill A

    Jill A Member

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    Feb 22, 2018
    http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/bams-spreadsheet.191675/#post-2139926
    My husband tested Bam at 6 PM and he was at 66. Gave him some high carb food and tested again in half hour, he was at 85. I will test again at 8 PM. These numbers all over the place are kind of freaking me out now. Do I need to be worried? Will try to get more before bed tests and my husband is able to stop home tomorrow afternoon to test.
     
  2. Bronx's dad (GA)

    Bronx's dad (GA) Well-Known Member

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    That is quite a drop. It appears 1u may be too much juice for the bouncing Bam.
     
  3. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

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    66 is a safe number on the Relion. Typically we feed high carb ifnthey are under 50.

    I am not sure if you are following Tight Regulation or Start Low Go Slow for dosing, but I think I would lower his dose to 0.75 units tomorrow morning. I think 1 unit might be a bit too much insulin at this point in time.
     
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  4. Jill A

    Jill A Member

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    Feb 22, 2018
    So even though his numbers have been high in the morning we would lower the dose? He was at 447 this morning and that is higher than usual. we are following SLGS.
     
  5. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

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    Could you add SLGS to the signature? That'll stop us asking all the time. :)

    We determine the dose by how low it takes the cat. If Bam goes below 90, you lower the dose by 0.25 units. He has probably been seeing some lower numbers mid cycle and bouncing, resulting in those higher numbers at the beginning of the cycle.
     
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  6. Jill A

    Jill A Member

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    We will lower the dose tomorrow AM. I added the SLGS to my signature, as well as some other info on Bam. I just tested him a few minutes ago and he was at 198. My husband will test him again before bed time. Thank you for all your help.
     
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  7. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

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    Since you didn't shoot tonight, try not to worry if he's high tomorrow morning. That is to be expected. Stick to the 0.75 units.
     
  8. Jill A

    Jill A Member

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    Feb 22, 2018
    Here's my new problem. I have syringes with 1 unit markings or 1/2 unit markings. Do they even make a syringe with 1/4 unit markings? What do I do tomorrow AM?
     
  9. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    No, they don't. You'll have to do your best to eyeball a level between 0.5 u and 1.0 u. Try to be as consistent in your eyeballed estimate from dose to dose.
     
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  10. Jill A

    Jill A Member

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    Feb 22, 2018
    Oh boy, this will be challenging. I better invest in some reader glasses. I've always used the 1 unit syringes. My friend from DCIN gave me some 1/2 unit syringes. I'm assuming the lines on the right are the whole units and the ones on the left are half units? Seems obvious but it can't hurt to ask. Thanks.
     
  11. Nicole Z

    Nicole Z Well-Known Member

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    Apr 24, 2017
    I have the same problem. Aurora was on a 1/2 of a unit of insulin and has gone down to 1/4 unit now. It always feels to me like the syringe is totally empty thought I have tested this and drew up some and squired it out in the sink just to see and it's literally just a drop. Many members here use a caliper but I just can't wrap my head around how that would work so I haven't ventured there yet. You're not alone, it's very hard when you're in between a marked line.
     
  12. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Yes, that's usually the arrangement. I bought a pair of drugstore readers in a power higher than I need for measuring out insulin doses. It also helps to have a bright light behind the syringe.
     
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  13. Jill A

    Jill A Member

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    Feb 22, 2018
    Wow! A 1/4 unit? Oh my.
     
  14. Juliet

    Juliet Guest

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    If it helps - what I do is fill syringe to the one unit mark and count the drops in one unit as I squeeze them out. Eg I get 4 fat drops to one unit. So if I want 0.75 I fill to one unit and squeeze out a drop. Voila 0.75.

    At one point Silver was down to only one drop insulin twice a day.
     
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  15. Jill A

    Jill A Member

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    Feb 22, 2018
    I will try that. Might be a bit more accurate than eyeballing it. Thanks!
     
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  16. Sienne and Gabby (GA)

    Sienne and Gabby (GA) Senior Member Moderator

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    There are a couple of ways to manage the tricky doses. What Juliet suggested is one method. I was never good at getting consistent drops even when I twisted the plunger (vs pushing). You can also use a colored liquid (or add color to a liquid) and make a sample syringe to compare your actual Lantus dose to. Another option is to buy digital calipers. These are the ones I used. There are instructions on the Board as to how to use them. They allow you to be very consistent with your dosing.

    Remember that with SLGS, a drop in numbers below 90 is when you reduce. So, given the 60, Bam's dose is reduced. It also helps to remember that Lantus dosing is based on the nadir -- the lowest point in the cycle. So even if he's bouncing to the moon, the nadir is telling you how low this particular dose is taking Bam's numbers -- hence, the reduction like Wendy noted.
     
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  17. JeffJ

    JeffJ Well-Known Member

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    Jul 7, 2016
    It's really too bad they don't make a syringe with 10 units. They could make 1/4 markings. A lot (maybe most) felines get less than 5 units.
     
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