Pig 4/14 pmps 79; +4 79; +6 89: +7 84; +8 89 *A big struggle, but WE ARE BACK!*

Discussion in 'Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars' started by LuvinThisPig, Apr 14, 2019.

  1. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Last Condo

    My god is it good to be home! There is so much to tell, so let me start:

    First off, I do apologize for dropping off the face of the earth like that. The situation that I put my boys and myself into after Washington was NOT a good one. I mentioned in prior posts that Pig was my emotional support/service guy and there is a legitimate reason for that. I suffer from some very severe anxiety and panic attacks. More recently, they diagnosed me as high functioning ASD, which accounts for a lot of what I struggle with. I only bring this up to help reason why I disappeared for so long. I allowed this situation to intimidate, panic, and dissuade me from being online. Even now I do not want to go into it in the open forums but will explain privately to anyone who is curious or would like to know what happened. It was not a good situation and one I will NEVER put my boys back into.

    But. That's over now and we are starting fresh. Pig has been doing pretty good, actually. His kidney values fluctuate with his bladder retention but I have a plan in place to work on that. As sad as I am to say this, the raw and homecooked diets proved to be far to constipating for him. I tried everything. I could not give him anymore Miralax and the Lactulose was so hard on him that even Pig turned down food! :eek: Needless to say, I pulled him off of that. Basically, I stopped and went back to the last thing that worked and I am seeing progress in his numbers every day.

    Currently, I am working some insane hours. I accepted a promotion at work which brought with it an insane pay raise of which I am very thankful. It has not been easy, though, and I find myself struggling to dose Pig because my data is lacking. He has been so erratic with the extreme swings between good bowel movements that I do not feel many of my numbers are an accurate indicator of where he plans to go. This is another reason it was vital to find a diet that would work with his complicated digestive issues. I also find myself being a bit wussy when I dose before work because I will most likely not be home for 10+ hours. I am getting over that.

    For now, he is eating Weruva and still getting the same meds. We have continued the Assisi loop treatment because I can tell you, the difference in bladder function and ability to stand in the litter box is tremendous. Its a bit expensive, but the loop as proven far worth its cost. I've been able to pull most of his values back down into normal range and he is no longer struggling with extreme bladder retention unless he is overly constipated. The puddles he can pee now are astounding! Pig is a feisty, hungry, and adorable as ever and we are so glad to finally be back!

    @Wendy&Neko @JeffJ
     
  2. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
  3. Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey

    Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2011
    I wondered what happened to you (not that I've been on a lot myself). I'm sorry you've had a rough time, but glad you're back. Just remember, this is a family and we are here for you if you need us.

    Pig looks awesome today! :D
     
  4. Sue and Luci

    Sue and Luci Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2017
    Sorry to hear you've been enduring rough times...but glad to hear it's over and you're moving along in the right direction. Looks like Pig is feeling better too...what a nice string of greens!! Welcome back :)
     
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  5. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Thank you! That really means a lot. I cannot tell you how many times I said to Pig "we gotta get back!" . This is a family and we have missed everyone so very much.

    Yes! I am loving this run today! The food is doing the trick and even despite the higher #s he has had lately, he is doing Pig quite well. All the 5 Ps are in place and that appetite... :facepalm:
     
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  6. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Thank you! Yes! They are lovely are they not? I'm hoping he holds them. He has been so erratic and hard to grip as of late. I'm confident it has a lot to do with the food. The manx just makes it so hard for him to function properly in the digestive department. Dr. Fidel at WSU said I might just have e to go this route. Find a way to keep his BMs on the looser side. *Sigh*.

    Whatever works to help that bladder release. That's my main goal.
     
  7. Sonia & Leo

    Sonia & Leo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2018
    Welcome back! It sounds like you went through some pretty rough times. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
    Congratulations on the promotion!!!
     
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  8. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Thank you! It feels right to be back here. I have missed all you guys like crazy!

    Yes! It gets crazy at work, but the extra cash is really helping with his costs. I'm also well on the way to saving what we need to get back to Washington. Toying with that idea. We already have all the equipment. :joyful:
     
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  9. Pamela & Amethyst

    Pamela & Amethyst Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2016
    Hi!!!!!!! Welcome back! I also have Severe Anxiety soo glad you are all doing well!:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
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  10. Sienne and Gabby (GA)

    Sienne and Gabby (GA) Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Well, whatever you're doing now, seems to be working for Pig! Please remember the basic "rule" -- ECID. Some cats require a bit more trial an error than others.
     
  11. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Oh love! How are you? I see miss Amethyst is doing VERY well! Good job momma!
     
  12. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Yes. I completely agree. It's a bit upsetting because his poo was so much better. But, if he cannot get it out and that makes him retain urine... Well, it's not much better at all. That causes a double whammy, per say, because his kidneys were suffering from both the elevated glucose and the retaining urine.

    No worries. Weruva is doing the trick for now. I just need to stay on top of Ultrasounds to monitor his gut. As well as his labs.
     
  13. Squeaky and KT (GA)

    Squeaky and KT (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2011
    WOOT WOOT!!! THERE YOU ARE!!!! I've been worried about you and Sir Pig! Yeah those horrible situations really suck, glad you got out of it. HUGS AND HUGS!!!!
     
  14. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Man and are we glad to be back! Sir Pig. I like that and I'm pretty sure he does too! :joyful: He is my king, after all. :smuggrin:

    Yeah, it was an awful mess. It was not a fun deal at all. Honestly, I get sick to my stomach thinking about it. We're just glad to be back around all of you guys!
     
  15. Pamela & Amethyst

    Pamela & Amethyst Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2016
    Thanks! :bighug::bighug:Still praying for Financial Abundance to get her the much needed Radiation Treatment The tumor has started to affect her breathing.
     
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  16. Olive & Paula

    Olive & Paula Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2015
    Welcome back. Keep wondering how Sir Pig has been since the SRT. I see his dose is much less but still high. Does this mean he needs another SRT? I'm not familiar with the way that treatment works. Ollie is on cabergoline as it's more affordable for me. I consider it as an economy car payment every month. Her dose came down some but the symptoms have subsided.

    Congrats on promotion and hope whatever the issues were, they are now behind you.
     
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  17. Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

    Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    Welcome home to you and that fine Pig!
    :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
  18. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    Hi Sarah and Pig. Missed you and our conversations.:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:

    Not necessarily, the full effects of SRT can take two years to be felt. It hasn’t even been one year yet since Pig’s SRT. I did a second one with Neko but after three years when it was clear the tumour was coming back. We were the first to have a second SRT, but not the last. Most kitties do not need a second SRT.
     
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  19. Jill & Scooter

    Jill & Scooter Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2018
    Welcome back! Sorry you’ve had a rough time, but glad things are better! Congrats on your promotion! Sounds like Pig is doing pretty well. Hope everything is much better for you three from here out!
     
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  20. JeffJ

    JeffJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    I'm glad to hear things have settled and gotten better for you. I'm also glad to hear Pig and Tail are also doing well. It's so nice to have you back.

    Leo's SRT was Sept 2016, so he is now a 2.5 year post-SRT patient. I hope Pig also joins that longevity club in the distant future!
     
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  21. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    I had toyed with the idea of going back to WSU for another round of SRT. However, I think they can take reductions up to two years post surgery. We are just now encroaching on a years time. I always looked at it like this: I didn't really mind the cost of the insulin so much as the effect of the symptoms. I think if you can get the symptoms to abate some, then you are on the right track. :)

    Thank you! It does get crazy for sure, but I enjoy it.
     
  22. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Thank you! It feels good to be so! This is so where we belong! :bighug:
     
  23. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    We still had conversation in my head every time I gave a dose or made the wrong dosing choice! Lol! Your guidance was all I could hear! We have both missed you! :bighug::bighug:
     
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  24. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Thank you!
     
  25. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Jeff! But how I have missed our conversations and hearing all about your boys! I cannot believe it has been that long for Leo! Wow! He is doing so good! How is Theresa and your other fur kids?
     
  26. Bronx's dad (GA)

    Bronx's dad (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2016
    Welcome back Sarah & Pig! We missed you :bighug:
     
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  27. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Thank you! It was far too long of a time away! How is Bronx doing?? I miss hearing about him! How are your travels for work?
     
  28. Bronx's dad (GA)

    Bronx's dad (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2016
    I accidentally shot him 40u of R twice this last month thinking it was Adequan, thank God he is still here!
     
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  29. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    :eek::eek::eek: Oh my! I bet that was an adventure! Thank goodness you caught it! You are such a good dad! And before you say that you never should have confused those, its easy to do. Heck, one day I was so tired and out of it, I have Tail Pig's bowl with all his meds in it! :eek: Thank goodness it was only a 50mg dose of Gaba, but I felt terrible. :oops: Poor Tail slept like a rock!

    You really are an amazing cat dad! It could happen to the best of us! :bighug:
     
  30. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    But, why a 40u dose on the Adequan? I thought the typical dosage was 30ml (30u)... That is what we do for Pig. Just curious if you see it helping more because of it... We are about to try Duralactin, but I will forever stand by the Assisi loop. It has done wonders for Pig.
     
  31. Krystina & Nelli

    Krystina & Nelli Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2018
    :bighug: :cat: :bighug:
     
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  32. Bronx's dad (GA)

    Bronx's dad (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2016
    He gets 0.4ml of Adequan which equals 16u in a U40 syringe or 40u in a U100 syringe. I use U40 syringes for the Adequan.
     
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  33. Mandy & Rex (GA)

    Mandy & Rex (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2017
    Sarah... Pig... :bighug::bighug::bighug:

    So glad you are on the track to good things!!
     
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  34. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Hello! Oh! It is good to see you! How are you? How are things going?
     
  35. Mandy & Rex (GA)

    Mandy & Rex (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2017
    Things are going well. I'm not on much nowadays so I was happy to see your update on Pig. Rex is still doing great! I need to do an update soon for his 2 year anniversary off the juice!
     
  36. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    WooHoo!! Now that is a good thing to hear!! I am so happy he is doing so very well! That is just amazing!
     
  37. Noah & me (GA)

    Noah & me (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2016
    From a bipolar ADHD to you, I thought someone was missing from the big picture. Then something distracted me and I forgot what I was thinking about.
    Happy to see you're both back.
     
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  38. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Thank you! We have certainly missed you! :bighug:
     
  39. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    Welcome back! You're among friends here. :)
     
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  40. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Yes we are. Every time I think about it, I just get a huge smile on my face! Missed u Kris! :bighug:
     
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