Hi all. I would like to post pre shotnumbers etc in the title like everyone else but I have a dilemma and once again feel lost like many new to this forum. Zoe started on Lantus a week and a half ago. Her numbers have been high for a while. I wanted to try and use the tight regulation guidelines. I have been using the alpha track 2 meter since her diagnosis 10/2018 and because the strips were so expensive I switched to the Freestyle Inulinx strips to save some money. The directions for the TR protocol says to use a meter for human use. I have a Relion Prime that I have been testing myself on because of being diagnosed insulin resistant myself recently. The meter itself-- from Walmart and I have seen others use it--is pretty cheap and the strips are $9 for 50 as opposed to about $50 for 50 for the alpha trak2 and $38 ish for 50 of the Freestyle Insulinux. Because of the call to use human meter to try the TR protocol, I purchased a RelionPrime for Zoe and was looking forward to the saving on the strips (I used my HSA too since it was not for pet product) I got the new meter today and started using it on Zoe. When I first got home for the pm preshot I used the alphatrack and her BG was 409 and I gave her the 3 units Lantus I bumped her to over the weekend. for the post shot I used the human meter. +1 was 316, +2:30 was 291 +3 288 +4 274 . I was liking this but since Zoe has not really been in this yellow much I wasnt comfortable basing everything on the Relion so I tested +5 with both. 271 (Relion) 337 alpha trak2. You see my dilemma? 66 point difference. I am not even sure the alphatrak2 with Freestyle was accurate since the alphatrak2 strips ran higher than the freestyle and her fructosamine was 516. This is so much data and I am data weary. I either go with the human meter and accept the readings and treat as directed, but I really dont trust anything now. Advice please. (I have to go to bed but will read all tomorrow)
Put the pet meter and strips in the back of the cupboard. Continue saving money with the Relion. Pet meters generally read a little higher than human meters. Comparing two types of meters will drive you crazy.
I second what @Wendy&Neko said. Your numbers are going to be most accurate where it counts anyway, which is at lower numbers where hypo risk would be a concern. Otherwise, you're just looking for the trends. I have driven myself number crazy enough, and it didn't help. This will get more familiar over time. Cheaper strips means you can test more freely and gather more data if you'd like, right? So in the long run, it's more beneficial just to make things easier on yourself, too.
Bless you both and I will do that. I needed to hear that. This is stressing me out when I need to focus on rest and relaxation for my own health. I love Zoe dearly and am trying to do the best by her but it is exhausting me. We all love our pets immensely. Thanks everyone and goodnight!
I've been using the Relion Prime meter from day one ,15 months now. My kitty Ravan is doing great & I'm happy that the Relion is affordable for me. I was reading your information about Sybil being treated with depo medrol. Yes it is a steroid & yes it can cause diabetes Here's what i found related to side effects Increased risk of infection. Altered behavior such as aggression. Inhibited growth, particularly for young cats. Development or worsening of diabetes. Vomiting. Diarrhea. Ulcers in the digestive tract. Lethargy. I hope she's not still getting the depo medrol? Could you describe what she was getting it for? When my cats were about a year old they all got something called Eosinophilic Complex. (They were from the same litter & the mom cat was feral she was probably a carrier of the disease) It went away on it's own over time . It was like crusty sores that were kinda weepy,moist.( I rarely bring my cats to the vet. Not only too expensive for me ,but I really don't trust the meds they prescribe. ) I recently read an article that they are having very good results using Zyrtec not only for allergies but it is also putting Eosinophilic disease into remission. I've been giving it to my cat with Stomatitis & it's helping her. I think it's very sad that your kitty probably got Diabetes from the Vet giving her Steroids. Now that she has Diabetes she should not be getting any steroid. It can make her diabetes worse. Are you on the Lantus forum? I haven't seen you here before? I didn't see any info about what you're feeding her? She needs low carb food NO dry food. There's a Food Chart by Dr. Pierson that lists a lot of canned food & tells you the carbs.
I'm seeing from your signature that you recently switched insulin types. I also switched from a shorter acting insulin, to Lantus. Here are some things I have found: kitty feels bad when sugar is high, but I need to not stress. Trust the Lantus, the depot will build, and take the high days as a good time to rest, ensuring kitty has enough of the appropriate carb food, and water. Getting the ideal dose may take some time. That's okay, too. Honestly though, Alice has been on Lantus for about a month, and had recent DKA, and she is still perking up so, so much. Hang in there, set alarms, create a schedule, give yourself some balance. I've noticed that even when Alice's BGLs are lower, she seems to surf along more smoothly. I still panic a bit, because I'm not used to certain numbers, but then I make my Lantus ISG post, get help and support, and things are fine, and I find I didn't even need to panic. What's your food stock like? I feel comforted knowing I am prepared to feed based on any BGL. Having a plan reduces my anxiety and confusion. You're doing great simply because you're trying!
Thanks. I feed her FF and Friskies pate. I do give her a few temptation treats occasionally. I do have kayro syrup in the pantry in case of hypo. Her sister still gets Kibble in her microchip feeder but its the zero carb Young Again mature zero.
Yes I am afraid the steroid caused it. And no she is not getting them any longer. She was getting at most 2 a year for allergies where she would lick herself and have crusty sores on neck and mouth. I am a nurse and we deal with depo medrol all the time in joints so I knew the possibilities but she was in misery with the constant itching. Oddly enough since her diagnosis of diabetes she has had none of that! I am in the Lantus forum just since last week but the posting is so different than the main forum I am a little intimidated, lol . She is new to lantus just nearly 2 weeks now. I pray this will help stabilize her. (Abd by the way I am Sybil and her name is Zoe. I messed up when I signed up and many think she is Sybil. Lol. Thanks for everyones help!!
Stop the Temptations. They are very high carb. There are plenty of other tasty treats out there, especially those made of all meat. Most kitties love the freeze dried chicken pieces, or sometimes other types of meat.
You'll see with the change of insulin, her numbers will start slowly to go down. Keep posting so we can follow the progress of your little Zoe! You'll see we're not that bad on the Lantus Forum !! BTW, Ti-Mousse is my diabetes one, but I also have a little girl of 17yo and her name is Zoe!!
It intimidated me too at first. If it helps, put "new" in your title there for a bit. It's not necessary, but if it eases you then that is worth it. As @Ti-Mousse said, numbers should slowly begin to regulate. I was getting so frustrated wondering how long it was going to take, then just this past week I really started to see solid improvement. I think if the ER vets saw her now they would be shocked at how well she has recovered so far since DKA. Hopefully Zoe starts feeling it more, soon. Alice has had a lot of bounces and at first that confused me too. It's frustrating that it takes time, because we all just want our kitties to feel well. It does get better though! Anyway this whole post of yours is a reminder to me to make sure my allergy fatty cat does not end up on any steroids again. So Zoe's example is at least saving another cat! Btw you can change your name. If it matters to you! I think it's fine as is. Also, it's excellent IMO that you've made the insulin switch that you have. Things will hopefully be looking up more soon for you both.
It does appear that her levels are beginning to regulate, even if I am using the Relion meter. I haven't been able to check past +5 because of having to get in the bed by 11 during the week but will track it better this weekend. Of course if I got a really low number by +5, I would stay up, but my goal for myself is to try and get to sleep by around 9 which is difficult while worrying about Zoe. She is at 3 units right now and I think I will push it to 3.5 units this weekend when I can watch her closely. The TR protocol would have me increase more frequently but I am hesitant since I can't be home during the day
You are seeing some yellow and almost blue, please don’t increase more that to 3.25 units. Safety first. Good luck with the increase, I hope it brings blues into the picture. Next time you post, could you start a new thread. Our convention is one per day here, and you will get more eyes with a new post.
I will only increase 0.25 this weekend. Thanks for all the support.I am happy to see yellow! Now if she will just stop the constant begging for food
