Wynken - can tell Levemir is coming?

Tongue-in-cheek... Wonder if my boy is reluctant to get off Prozinc after 4 years, now that the Levemir is enroute?

Ever since I ordered it, he has been having lower blood sugars, in his own wonky way... Today, I'm guessing the Lev may have made it to the border or maybe as far as Michigan, because look at our curve!

 

I do think they listen and can understand what we say.......scary idea, right? Lovely curve today.

 

Wynk says "come on mom! I got this!".

 

Rachel, Sue....

I have a confession to make that reveals pretty mixed-up thinking... Or perhaps just that I'm taking care of too many cats (12).

So...
Last week, I was aware of (and trying to follow) moving shot time in 15 minute increments… (Or at least in some amount of increments) to get us closer to where we needed to be for the time change on Sunday morning.

However, too many things were happening in my life and I wasn't able to do it. Saturday evening I tried to give the shot earlier by about 20 minutes and fell asleep puzzling about when I needed to get up to reconcile the difference remaining, and at least partially move in the right direction. But I was exhausted, and not thinking clearly. I think I also forgot that my phone was going to change times automatically in the middle of the night.

So instead of giving him his shot on Sunday morning closer to the time that would've split the difference in the time change… I actually gave it about an hour and a half early! (Compared to last week). I figured it out hours later…

I "knew" that giving the shot significantly earlier would work as a dose increase… But it's another thing to actually live through it! So last night I really did split the difference...to try to get us back on track for this morning.

Sigh..... At least there was no harm done and I was able to monitor him closely… he felt good all day, and seems to feel great this morning, too!

If you can't confess something like that in a place like this, where can you? I feel so stupid

 

Cara did I ever tell you about the time I got up, tested Gypsy, fed everyone, drew up her shot...then left for work? Totally forgot to give it! And I did this several times! We all get tired out and make mistakes.

I'm impressed you're still sane with 12! I'm barely making it with 3.

 

Oh dear! I can only imagine how you felt! If I ever forgot his shot (which is entirely possible, especially pre-FDMB and pre-SS!) I was unaware of it...

And actually I am NOT sane!
6 of the 12 are quite geriatric, over 17...
All I do (when not at my full time job) is "cat-care". No kids, so this is my life. I love them dearly!!! As I always say to them "each and every one"....

 

I am always incredulous when I heard people have more than a few cats - and especially with you, when they are older and have their individual issues. How lucky they are to have you!

 

I didn't set out to have this many. Most cats I come across I find good homes for. My kids are the ones no one wanted. They are the BEST ones, though. Most rescuing happened between 1998 and 2006. The population has been pretty stable for many years. They are my family.

 

I know what you mean, Cara. I feel the same

 

Cara - I saw Wynk's amps - blue - oh my I'm just curious if you are going to start Levemir when you get it (where are you getting it from, btw) or wait until he settles down a bit?

 

You are inside my head, Carol! I am not sure, now... Ever since the dose Sunday morning where I gave it too early (weell, before that really, when his appetite came back) he has had some low values... I have to think about it.
The Levemir is coming from Marks Marine Pharmacy in Canada. Huge savings to buy it there. But I thought it would be here by now and it's not.

I just popped home for lunch to check him, with the blue AMPS and almost his normal dose, I wasn't sure what would happen, but he's PINK.
Still thinking about a plan....

 

Ive been having the exact issues with Murphy - suddenly his nadir is at the preshots and I'm using lower doses
I've got a vet appt on Thursday for dental f/u and will discuss switching I have to go out of town for a week in early May and another in early June and I just don't know if I should do it before then I see Wynk's in the pink again, and late nadir again

 

Maybe something to think about for both of you: the important thing is that the Wynk and Murphy are getting good numbers. So, if your lives make you nervous about switching - because of absences or whatever - you can always postpone. As long as they are in good ranges and you both know how to work around low preshots (and you do), you can switch when it works for you - right? Even if you already have the insulin, it lasts months when refrigerated.

When the cat is in high ranges and has been for weeks (or longer) it is usually an easy switch, taking most often a week to see any changes. But even then, monitoring is suggested - especially at nadir. When a kitty is in lower ranges, I would want to be around in the first weeks and maybe months, monitoring carefully, because you wouldn't be sure how the insulin is going to work at the lower numbers - how soon and how low. IF however, the numbers overall are too high and over the renal threshold, then try to find a time to switch. Just MHO.

 

Cara,

I know Wynk is unpredictable. But here is what I (think) I see. The 1.8 looked a little too much for the 145 (or did you stall?). The curve was inverted with the highest number in the middle which can be a sign of a little too much insulin. The same idea may have applied for the 150 on 3/12. It might be worth a try to lower that dose a smidge and see if he doesn't jump up for that next cycle? And I wonder if the dose on yellows might go down a smidge, helping lower that next preshot red or high pink?

I know we have tried everything with him and it may be that the only way to get the lower preshots is to shoot more. If so, keep on doing what you are doing.

 

Good thought, Sue. I hope the Lev comes today, but I wouldn't necessarily have to start it, would I? I've been thinking a lot about him and the recent fluctuations. He was high and flat for so long… and I've been watching Bubba over in L & L land.
Not sure about when to switch.

 

Cara, I added too late to the first post:
IF however, most of the numbers are generally above the renal threshold, I'd find a time to switch.

 

I just looked at his sheet again, to try to understand what you're saying… you may be right... But I think I'm not inclined to reduce the dose any. Based on lowering it on February 5 (Per Dr Jones & Dr Gilor) for about two weeks - it just left him too high, overall.

 

Sue, what is the renal threshold - it's frequently quoted 200 or 250 but is that for human meter or alphatrak? I think I will postpone switching until after June

 

Nobody knows.....There are apparently a number of sources, but I think they are for humans, not cats. I have seen it quoted as anywhere from 180 - 250 (human meter) I think I would pick something on the lower range - maybe 200 and figure that's a nice number.

 

Well, I guess for an alphatrak it could be more like 220-275 then

 

Well, the Levemir arrived Wednesday and I gave the first dose tonight. We are officially off Prozinc. I will miss you guys!!! Thanks for all the help and wisdom, and caring. Xoxo

 

That' s so exciting
I took Murphy to the vet today, and she advised me not to change at this point, since Murphy really does respond to Prozinc
I'll watch Wynken's spread sheet and see how you do - may switch in June - so hoping for a great transition - please continue to post here Cara

 

Looking forward to how Wynk does on the Lev! Don't forget to come visit, Cara!

 

Best of luck to you both. We'll be waiting to hear!

 

I took Murphy to the vet yesterday and discussed changing insulins She didn't really see a need at this point - said the Cat Hospital was seeing just as many hypos with Levemir and lantus as with prozinc - did a fructosamine test so we'll see - so I'm holding off and will decide after my June trip
He had been doing great but woke me up at 3:30 vomiting multiple times - UGH
Cara - I'm looking for you on L&L

 

Will do!!

 

Is it hard to get it out of the pen? I heard it can be?

 

No, not so far. I'm doing it just like the video.