9/21 Elmo AMPS 239, + 3 168,+4. 5 105,+6 60, +7 71, +9.5 81 PMPS 115,+1 223 , + 3 171

Yesterday

Good morning First full night of sleep in 48 hours is a VERY good thing '! Window duty completed and eating well for Elmo . Sending hope and prayers to all who are in need

 

Hope you are feeling a little rejuvenated after a good night's sleep.

What a lovely start to the day. Elmo is definitely coming out of bounces much quicker now. Now if he'd just tone down how far he bounces......

 

Feeling wonderful , Linda Wondering if I need to snag a +1 or wait for +2 ???? He has eaten well this morning for the grazer that he is Hope you have caught up on your sleep as well after your part in his overnight binge Wednesday night

 

Going to be switching meters as soon as finish the strips I have for Relion Confirm .....I have a Relion Prime but want input as to which meter would be good ...only stipulation is that I can get strips at Wal Mart...have been ordering Confirm strips from ADW but want an easier , less stress of running by WM and getting what's needed ...any thots/ advice appreciated

 

Beth, have you checked the difference in blood drop size? That would be the only thing I'd check. The Relion Prime is so affordable - just 9 dollars for 50 strips, or 10 for two boxes of 25, since they don't always have the 50 stocked.

 

How about snagging a +1 given Elmo has dropped down considerably from last night? Catch him early if he is planning on any shenanigans today.

Can't help with the meter question except Tina brings up a good point....I think the Prime takes a bigger blood sample than the Confirm (0.5uL Prime vs 0.3uL Confirm) and I've seen a lot more reports of testing errors on the Prime I'm guessing due to too small a sample. Not much of a bargain if you are throwing out strips.

 

+1 ...282

 

Yes , ive been practicing with the Prime and it doesn't seem to take that much more blood . He is a very good bleeder ( that sounds gross and vampire ish)

 

I have used a Confirm since Elmo was diagnosed in 2016 but now have to order strips . Was no big deal when in remission but now I need easy access to strips ...I can get strips for the Prime at our local WM ....just wanting opinions on the Prime ...would make things easier when need more strips

 

Great start Elmo! Now do a slow downward slide for momma.

 

That's a nice little food bump. I'd give him a break and check him at +3.

 

That's great! I've been singing, I'm coming to get your blood . . .

I use the Prime for myself and love it. Very reliable.
May eventually use for Tina. I've been staying with the AlphaTrac for some odd reasons.

 

I have a Confirm for a backup meter, but I use the Prime as my main meter. It doesn't take that much more blood and the strips are cheap.

 

Thanks , Jill Gives me peace that I can easily get more strips without ordering ...one less thing to do .

 

I started with AT when first diagnosed but quickly changed to Relion products . Long as what I use is reliable and ease of purchase ...thanks for input , Jan

 

Yes yes yes !!! Thanks , Suzanne

 

Ollie isn't a good bleeder and would rather run head on meter than keep still. The Prime is a bigger drop so would not work for us. I use Nova Max but strips can be temperamental. How I miss my relion micro.

 

Thanks, Paula . Yep , my Confirm is a comfy place for me thru these 3 years, saw us thru remission . Wish they wouldn't discontinue things, but it is what it is

 

+3 ....168 Thots per his tendency to roll ??? @MrWorfMen's Mom @Nan & Amber ?

 

Hmmm... Definitely needs some kind of snack here. What did you give him at +2 on the night of 9/18, when he went PMPS 239, +2 174, +3 42? Whatever that amount of carbs was, bump it up a touch more and see what he does with it.

Different situation today, depot still filling, but might as well use the information we already have, right?

 

Just to be 100% clear on my thinking, I went back and forth on this because I hate to keep going to the carbs as much as we do with Elmo. For many reasons, including his tummy gurgling. So for now, just a smidge more than you did before-- let's try not to overload him on this cycle if we can.

 

Thanks Nan ...you and Linda really have an awesome grasp of him and how he rolls ❤️ Just gave 1 t 5 LC plus skinny 1/4 14 MC gravy. When test again ? Test in 30 or hour ??

 

Given that drop, I'd test again at +4 [corrected from original post]. Hopefully, between the re-filling depot and the lower dose, he's not planning anything other than a nice gentle slide, but again, we only have his history to go by, so let's keep a close eye on him for now!

 

I checked the forum very late last night after I finished working and my name was the only one on. A good night all round (except for yours truly).

 

Crazy how quickly one can forget how great a good nights sleep feels

 

"His history ".... more like crazy train !!!! Thanks Nan !!❤️

 

Looks like a gentler slide today. Anxious to see where he's at next test.

 

So would rather be squeezing gravy out of a can of cat food during the day than in middle of the night !!!!

 

Fed him at 11:15( 11:30 would be +4) ...only 15 minutes ago ...should I wait until + 5 to give food an hour to work on him ?

 

Do add this skill to your resume.

 

Going to split the difference and check at + 4.5

 

+ 4.5 ( one hour since LCMC mix given) 105

 

@Nan & Amber @MrWorfMen's Mom Little more LC snack and test in hour ??? Giving 2t LC

 

Sounds good. Time to slow down Elmo-- dark greens would be lovely today, but that's as far as you go, you hear?

 

Next test ?? Decided to increase amount of LC and leave off MC this time

 

How about +6? Earlier if he starts nosing around for food, looking hungry.

 

What is considered a nice slow drop ? Since Elmo has not done those very often I am unclear . I know 100+ is intervene time with LCMC with him but when do you intervene when less than 100 with just bigger LC snack minus the MC ?? Inquiring minds and all that

 

Got it !!! Thanks , Guardian Nan of New York

 

Excellent numbers today! So happy to see several tests...looks like he's doing better today - yeah!!!

As for meters - I used the Relion Confirm until Walmart stopped carrying; tried several others - subscribed to the OneDrop meters since they will ship unlimited strips for free - I pay $50 for unlimited and I order 300 strips at a time: however they now have only the $150 for 3 month option - https://onedrop.today/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6LmZtrvi5AIVFsRkCh0F3wi2EAAYAiAAEgKygPD_BwE

I love the program and the drop required is the same size as I was getting with the Confirm - small

 

Thanks , Sue Think I'm going to try the Prime , start using it as I finish up Confirm . Familiarity sure is comforting tho Will keep the One Drop in mind ...good to hear from a former Confirm user

 

+6. 60 ....Giving LC plus 1/4 t MC 14 gravy @Nan & Amber @MrWorfMen's Mom

 

Oh, there's our Elmo!

Keep in mind: this is still a safe number. It's where you want him to be, eventually-- just maybe getting there a little slower, so we don't worry so much about overshoot into shark territory!

 

Thanks Nan.....next test ? Give a bit more MC to slow him ???

 

Also: much less worrying when he's hitting these nice green numbers around nadir time, rather than zooming down at +2, +3 just as the current shot is starting to take effect.

He's learning!

 

Try +7, again, unless he start acting hungry, etc.

 

Thanks , Angel Nan

 

Nan , when would you say his nadir is this far ? +7 ? + 8 ?? Do these numbers surprise you considering it's smaller dose and depot is empty ??

 

Wow! Elmo is definitely on a mission. Depot isn't empty, just drained off a bit. Looks like he may be shooting for yet another reduction. Nadir definitely seems to be around +7/8 most cycles. Nothing Elmo does surprises me anymore.

 

Beth, am I right in thinking that Elmo has been much better about eating on his own recently? When would you say he started to turn that around? I'm just wondering if he's been feeling better lately, calming his numbers a little bit.

 

I would say in last week for sure he is coming on his often frequently thru the day . Due to a piggy civvie I can't leave food down so I'm aware of when he wants fed.

 

Am I wrong, Linda, or is this what he did on vetsulin? He careens rather than flows

 

And all I wanted to do today is clean our daughters closet while Tuffy( aka Basement kitty) is up there " helping. We have two " spare" kitties ...one is currently in family room in basement ( Tuffy...DH Name for her) and a bedroom kitty (Boo ). For now we keep them separate from the old boys ..especially since Elmo and civvie Chris rile easily and are in compromised health situations . Stress not needed. We are ab out of rooms in which to store spare kitties

 

Yay for getting a good night's sleep. Nice slide for Elmo today. That's much better than those crazy dives he's been doing. I hope he's surfing safely by your next test. I love that you have "spare" kitties.

 

Thanks , Carla Both are little females found as kittens . Tuffy wormed her way into DH heart when a property he bought she was the only kitten to live from a litter in a barn . Every time he came she would follow him . And Boo was left as a tiny kitten by her momma under our deck . When it became apparent she had been abandoned we took her in .....all this from a man who said he didn't like indoor animals not long before we married That was 40 years ago and here we are with " spare kitties"

 

+ 7.....71. @carfurby Im practicing with the Prime each time instead of going cold turkey ...appreciate your wisdom ab pick a new meter and stick with it ...this time numbers were close ..78 on Prime ...

 

Yes I feel like I am having a bit of deja vu!

 

Thots on next test ?!!

 

Elmo, look at you! Working on another reducie already.

 

What would we do without this Board, Suzanne? All the dedication and time so freely and lovingly given It can bring me to tears And this is precious Linda's second rodeo with us ❤️

 

Where are we now, @Beth 73 ?

 

+ 9.5 ...81 ...ate a good amount on his own after.....thots? Comments? Salutations ? I get quite sassy after a full nights sleep Really got into cleaning out that closet !!!! So sad that it's so invigorating to shuffle thru ones stuff

 

Seems to me Elmo's got his BG right where you want it! BTW the mouse's name is BG!

 

PMPS 116...... not comfy with this at night.....thots ?..... needing shot or no shot advice. @MrWorfMen's Mom @Nan & Amber @carfurby

 

If you haven't fed Elmo yet don't. Retest him in 30 minutes without food to see if his BG is rising on it's own.

 

Started to eat a little ..... took it away ....will test in 30 ....getting stink eye

 

Ha, Ha - I'd like to see that stink eye! Probably similar to LTs when I'd stall his meals.

 

151.

 

Go ahead and shoot?..? ....definitely a food bump...

 

@MrWorfMen's Mom @Nan & Amber @carfurby

 

Ok he's over 150 and rising (as long as that isn't just an exceptionally hungry ticked off cat) which means you should be able to shoot his regular dose of 1.25u. Usually the lower you shoot the more stable the numbers. That said, no one can give you guarantees that he won't be up his shenanigans yet again. Are you up for a PJ party if the need should arise?

 

What is best for him ?...

 

I can pj if needed.....this cat !

 

So good ahead and shoot and he’ll be safe .....no potential hypos ?

 

Keeping the momentum going is best but you factor into this too and he has been putting you through your paces lately so if you'd rather, you can always give him a smaller dose tonight to hopefully keep the dramatics to a dull roar.

 

I am in no rush to get back to remission

 

What would be smaller dose ?

 

Nope let’s go for 1.25.....remind me I chose this

 

You are definitely a trooper Beth! Seriously, reduce him down to 1u if you feel better about it.

 

Shot a shaved 1.25...... when should I test next ?

 

Let's do a +1 and see what he's up to and intervene early if need be.

 

Beth, you and Elmo are firing on all cylinders now!

[Elmo: behave!]

 

I’ll watch the Notre Dame /Georgia game ..... that’ll keep things calm

 

+1. 223

 

Well that seems to be a good food bump & more. Retest at +3 and feed or give meds as you normally would with LC only.

 

Yes, Auntie Linda I literally held my breath as the meter was tabulating

 

Believe me....that breath holding never stops!

 

Truth ! Did it for all of remission

 

+3.....171....can we all go to sleep ??? Or one more check ??? Thank goodness no deep dives Also making tentative plan for tomorrow morning as we will be gone right after shot time until +5.... shall see what tomorrow morning brings

 

I don't think he's got any deep dives planned. Feed him and head off to bed. Leave a snack out for him for later.

 

Agreed. Planning ahead with Elmo is a bit of a gamble.
Sweet dreams!

 

Sweet dreams to you , Auntie Linda