For anyone who's in the UK or Europe - free Levemir

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Vintry, Feb 5, 2020.

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  1. Vintry

    Vintry Member

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    Jan 31, 2014
    Hi guys,

    I know that this should be posted in Supply Closet and I have done so but not many people visit that part of the forum. So I just wanted to let anybody who's in the UK (and maybe Europe?) know that I have new (unopened) Levemir insulin pens that I will be happy to send to anyone who needs them, my baby cat has passed away in October and I would hate this unused insulin to go to waste when maybe there's somebody who needs it. Levemir gave my beautiful Barsa almost 5 years of trouble free life, it wasn't diabetes that got her in the end. I have 7 pens: 2 of them expire in August and 5 in Dec this year.
     
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  2. Amy and Socks

    Amy and Socks Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2019
    So sorry for your loss!
     
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  3. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Sep 21, 2018
    So sorry for your loss, Barsa was such a beautiful kitty, fly high sweet kittycat_wings>o
     
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  4. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Maybe also post this over in the ISG for Lantus and Levemir?

    You may need to keep the post "bumped" over in the Lantus ISG AND here in Feline Health. That is because there are so many posts in each forum, your post will fall far down into the queue and not be seen. Simply open your post, type the word "Bump" in the text box, and "Post Reply" to send and it will move up in the queue. You may need to do that daily.

    Hugs to you and Barsa. You simply have to "hug her differently these days." With your heart.
    We sure do miss our kitties that have gone ahead. :(

    Posts in the Supply Closet automatically get deleted after 30 days. Re-post if you don't get any one that is interested.
    Or perhaps a local cat shelter could use your insulin.
    Not as many UK users that use Lantus or Levemir.
    I know of a French speaking Facebook Group that started about 2 years ago. There may be some people there that could use the Levemir.

    More people that use Lantus than Levemir within this FDMB group.

    There may be some of our UK members that know of someone that uses Levemir or have some other ideas.
    @Elizabeth and Bertie @Georgiana & Perlutz

    Tagging @Steph & Quintus & L & O. She is the administrator of that French speaking facebook group. She is not available right now, but she may read this post.

    That's all I could think of for now. Hope those brainstorming ideas help. Hope someone responds to you soon.
     
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  5. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    @Kate & Toby is a UK Lev user.

    So sorry to hear of Brasa’s passing. You gave her many good years. :bighug::bighug:
     
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  6. Vintry

    Vintry Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2014
    Thank you all guys for your kind words! I know it has been 3 months now and it should be ok-ish but I still can't watch the videos with her :(

    Deb & Wink, thank you for all your suggestions! Maybe I really should ask the shelter if they want it if nobody responds here for awhile.
     
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  7. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    We develop such an incredibly close bond with our extra sweet diabetic cats. When we lose them, I think it hits us even harder that they are not in our life anymore. We will always have them in our hearts.

    We have a Grief forum here in case you are interested in sharing your feelings with others here. Grief Support "Losing a loved one, animal or human, is one of the most difficult trials we face in life. Sharing our grief with others is an important healing step. This forum is not public, only registered users can see it."

    It's been almost 3 years since Wink died in my arms. I still tear up and miss him terribly. I always will. But he is the reason I'm still here on the message board, trying my best to help other people with their diabetic cats.
     
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  8. Bron and Sheba (GA)

    Bron and Sheba (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Feb 21, 2015
    I am so sorry to hear of Barsa's passing. I remember you both well.
    :rb_icon:cat_wings>o
     
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  9. Elizabeth and Bertie

    Elizabeth and Bertie Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2010
    Hi Iryna,
    There's not many UK'ers on FDMB who use Lev. But I think there are a few on some of the FB groups that I'm a member of, and I can post there if you wish?

    Thanks again for the Lev that you sent to me to use if Bonbon comes out of remission. It's very reassuring to have that on hand in case I need it.

    :bighug::bighug::bighug:

    ((((Iryna))))... Grieving takes its own time, sweetheart... My Bertie died last April and I still really struggle. Our sugar kitties have a very special place in our hearts...
    Take good care of yourself, dear Iryna... xxx
     
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  10. Vintry

    Vintry Member

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    Jan 31, 2014
    Yes please, my Facebook account is deactivated. If it's not too much trouble and you have time for that!
     
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  11. Mr Bo's Mam

    Mr Bo's Mam New Member

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    Dec 25, 2019
    Sorry to jump on here unannounced. Mr Bo our lovely cat is currently on Prozinc and has been for two weeks but his BG numbers are rising (31 tonight on 2 units). I have been recommended Lev by an admin on the Facebook support group previously and we are in the UK, Wales actually. I would obviously need to make sure that I am doing the right thing by swapping him over but I am very interested in what you have got and will of course pay postage etc.
     
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  12. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Jan 31, 2013
    Which facebook support group Mr Bo's Mam? Elizabeth and Bertie?

    There are several out there.
     
  13. Mr Bo's Mam

    Mr Bo's Mam New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 25, 2019
    The Feline Diabetes Support Group. I can post a link if that is OK with Admin here.
     
  14. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Jan 31, 2013
    I think that would be ok. Not an admin or moderator myself.
     
  15. Mr Bo's Mam

    Mr Bo's Mam New Member

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  16. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Jan 31, 2013
  17. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    I recognize at least 6 -7 names of the admins/ moderators there.
     
  18. Mr Bo's Mam

    Mr Bo's Mam New Member

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    Dec 25, 2019
    I am a member of this group too! I have used the other one more though for some reason. I am just very grateful for any help and support.
     
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  19. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Jan 31, 2013
    Other group you mentioned has some very good people there. Including Elizabeth Campbell who is in the UK so can provide some UK specific info. Always nice to have.
     
  20. Vintry

    Vintry Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2014
    Mr Bo's Mam,

    Sure, let me know your address in PM and I'll send it over. I think I still have some syringes for Levemir as well. How old is your darling? And do you know how to use Levemir? This forum is a godsend for advice on diabetes management and not just that, anything CAT really :)
     
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  21. Mr Bo's Mam

    Mr Bo's Mam New Member

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    Dec 25, 2019
    Thank you very much. I will message you but first I want to make sure that I should be changing to Lev from Prozinc, I wouldn't want to waste the insulin and take advantage of your generosity. Mr Bo has only been on Prozinc about two weeks but I don't think it is working for him unless I just haven't got a handle on the dose yet. I am going to do a curve tomorrow and try to get some more data especially night time BG readings as I am off work this week so can do that without having to drive to work like a zombie the following morning.
    Mr Bo Jangles is about 11, he was a stray before we had him, he used to sit in the hall at my husband's feet when our children were young and doing martial arts. He was very skinny at the time and all the children called him Kung Fu Kitty. He lived under a bush close to the path on the way in to the hall, he had made his own little nest there along with a couple of empty crisp packets and a bird's skeleton! He is an amazing cat, so very grateful for a home and his own human, he loves my husband especially. He is an indoor cat, has never wanted to go out since we brought him home. We have 6 other cats too and he likes hem all but his favourite "brother" Finnbarr died 19 months ago the same week as our dog and Mr Bo did become somewhat depressed for a couple of months after that. He sleeps on our bed, is a purr machine and can snore for Wales!
     
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  22. Diana&Tom

    Diana&Tom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2009
    Hi Ruth, you're absolutely right, make sure that your vet is on board if you want to switch insulins. I'm not sure that many vets would be too keen for a client to make decisions like this themselves, some vets won't prescribe it anyway, plus two weeks is actually no time at all for Mr Bo to have been on Prozinc and conclude that it's not working for him - it's worth giving it a bit longer to allow you to tweak the dose as necessary. Levemir is often seen as a better insulin for cats, but it's not usually tried, if at all, until you're a bit further down the road. It works differently too so if you think it's going to be an option, I'd suggest reading up about it first and familiarise yourself with how to use it.

    Good luck!
     
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  23. Mr Bo's Mam

    Mr Bo's Mam New Member

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    Dec 25, 2019
    Yes, it is not a decision to be made lightly. Our regular vet isn't on duty this weekend (and didn't ring as promised after surgery hours yesterday) so I have no way of discussing anything with her for the next few days. Mr Bo is looking very bright this morning. He's following us around (especially his dad who is his favourite hooooman) and he's purring and chirping which is lovely to hear. He has ate well and no loose stools overnight or this morning so the Canikur seems to have helped there. We love him so much and have been made more anxious as we have lost two of our lovely cats in the last seven months, one to mouth cancer aged 15 and the other who was much younger to an auto immune condition we had been fighting for 4 years. The thought of loosing Mr Bo clouds my judgement at times as the panic sets in.
     
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  24. Vintry

    Vintry Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2014
    Yes, this is true. In the UK it's difficult to get Levemir prescribed by vet due to cascade system. Caninsulin is always the first insulin that's prescribed once the cat is diagnosed with diabetes. It's actually sad because for my Barsa it meant she had a slim chance of remission :( Caninsulin didn't work for her, Levemir did, but by the time I finally persuaded my vet to prescribe it a year has passed. I don't know anything about Prozinc at all but it's sensible of course to give it time, two weeks is nothing and it might actually work for Mr Bo (by the way, I really enjoyed reading his biography :)) And if it doesn't work, contact me and I'll post it asap.
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2020
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  25. Katykartweel

    Katykartweel New Member

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    Jun 14, 2019
    I’d really like to try Monty on Lev and my vet is supportive of a change from Lantus which Monty has been on since April last year. It worked for about four months, but he consistently high now, despite increases and decreases. I’d be so grateful if I could have one of your pens. Thank you.
     
  26. Vintry

    Vintry Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2014
    Hi Katy. Please message me your address and I will post it for you tomorrow. Hopefully it will work for Monty.
     
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