10/12 Loudogg AMPS 348 PMPS 343 - Let's talk about Levemir

October 11, 2018 Condo

Good morning all,
Happy Friday! Lou had a good cycle yesterday. On the bad side Caleb woke up sick yesterday and had some issues testing. Thankfully Lou seemed to stay safe. Lou went straight into a bounce last night so he earned a pokie break. I hope he can get back to working the juice today. Annoyingly, Lou threw up again this morning. He ate the majority of his halved meal, and left a couple small bites. He waited 15 minutes or so and ate the last 2 bites, went over and threw up. I really don't know how to nip this in the bud. I got the SEB in the mail yesterday, so I suppose that will be the next step. I suppose I could try raising his dish even higher as well.

Overall, I think Lou is doing beautifully on Basaglar. However, he does still bounce around like he's on a trampoline. My Basaglar expires at the end of December, so I'm weighing the pros and cons of switching to Levemir when I put in my new insulin order with Marks Marine Pharmacy. I think it would be worth trying the Levemir to see if it calms his bounces. What do you all think? If so, do you have any suggestions on how to ask my vet? I have no idea what experience she has with Levemir, however, she was the one to suggest switching to glargine. I was planning on emailing. Would you just ask for the switch or would you give some background as to why?

Thanks in advance! I hope you all have a wonderful day and your kitties stay safe. Sending vines of healing, love, and peace to all those kitties, beans, and pups in need. Sending some extra vines to @Ana & Frosty today.

 

Hi Amanda,
I would simply remind your vet that Lou is still very bouncy and tell her that you would like to try Levemir to see if it would flatten him out. I don't think you need to go into details. Lev. is a depot insulin, like Lantus and Basaglar, and you are already familiar with the concept of the depot. You will have to make some adjustments because the Lev. cycle is usually different from the Lantus (later onset). But ECID and you won't know how Lev. will affect Lou until you try it. So the question is: do you want to rock the boat, and is the boat worth rocking?!
Good luck!

 

You have enough data to show vet how bouncy Lou is. If they wont script lev, go to supply closet and find Alan. Send him a pm and ask if he has any. When i did he didnt have any but went out and got it for me. I dont want to know how he gets it either. He seems to have and endless supply of lantus and lev.

Olive can still be bouncey but so much better on lev. She doesnt have the later nadirs though. She isnt agressive like she was on higher dose of lantus.

 

I'm glad I switched to Levemir. It doesn't sting like Lantus when it's injected. Ravan was jumping when i gave Lantus now he doesn't even blink. I switched to see if it would even out his bounces. Ravan is VERY bouncy ,he still bounces but I do think it's better now.
Another good reason for me is he uses about half of the insulin as he did on Lantus. He was on 1.25 Lantus & when I switched I was told to use 1/2 that amount .75 on Levemir.
I switched on July 28 so it's only been about 2 1/2 months. You can look at his SS & see the amount of insulin & his bounces.
When I get ready to buy Levemir again I'll get it from Alan at the "Supply Closet" his prices are very good.

Hope you & Lou have a great Day!

(I mentioned it to my Vet after i switched he didn't seem to think it was a big deal)

 

No input on the Lev as I never used it or had such a bouncy kitty. Hope Lou comes down for you today...nice a gentle like.

 

Doc's been on Lev for 4 years now. It calmed Doc's bounces altho' he still DOES bounce at times. The nice thing about Lev is even when he bounces, the high numbers are steady instead of erratic.

We get it from 'Mark's Marine Pharmacy' in Canada for a 5-pk at about $160 plus shipping. You might try a single pen first from Alan - he is reputable.

HUGS,

 

Does your vet read spreadsheets? There are a few that show rather dramatic changes with the switch. Or just mention you have heard cats go flatter, and what's the harm in trying. If the vet likes papers, Mary Ann posted a link to one in her previous post. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/now-what.204628/#post-2268586

 

Sorry about the vomiting. I hope the SEB helps. I don't have any experience with Levemir, but it sounds like you've received some good advice.

 

Levemir changed my girls life. We were at 24 units of lantus 2x a day. We switched to levemir and quickly her needs came down and she became a new cat. I think the lantus made her sick and probably stung at that huge dose. Good luck.

 

Thank you so much everyone for the advice! If I had been thinking clearly, I would have asked for Levemir originally when my vet suggested switching to a depot insulin. When I went with Basaglar, the short expiration date made it a perfect opportunity to test it out and make the switch later if I thought it was necessary. I've been happy on the Basaglar, considering he has better numbers than on the Vetsulin. But the bouncing is ridiculous. He never used to bounce like this on the Vetsulin. It makes me think it might be worth the switch to give Levemir a try.

I do send my spreadsheet to my vet and she reads it over during the appointment. How much she actually really gets it is beyond me. I think it's worth sending an email and at least asking her opinion. He's doing well, but I think it's worth exploring if he could be doing better. If it doesn't really work or he has a bad reaction, we can switch back, but at least I know I tried. Thank you for the article! That would be great in case she is not familiar with Levemir.