Lewie running high... giving 0.5 "fat" with u100 syringe

Discussion in 'Prozinc / PZI' started by Kathy4Lewie, Oct 22, 2018.

  1. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Sep 1, 2018
    I've started the 3rd cycle of a "Fat" 0.5u and I'm hoping Lewie will start to budge today. He's been running high lately and not feeling that great because of it. (A full 0.6u was too much and I had to stall.)
    This is a picture of what I'm calling a "Fat" dose of 0.5u using the u100 syringe. It's a smidge more that the 0.5u.
    0.5 Fat - using u100 syringe.jpg
     
  2. JL and Chip

    JL and Chip Well-Known Member

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    Dec 28, 2009
    Are you having trouble with air bubbles? If so, you can pull the plunger back a little and flick the syringe to try to get the air bubbles to congregate at the top (needle end), then push the bubbles and excess insulin back out.

    If he's at a high PMPS tonight, I'm inclined to go back to 0.6u. We need to get him out of theses higher numbers, especially since he's not feeling well in that range. Hopefully others will chime in with their opinions. @Kris & Teasel @Djamila @Rachel opinions??

    BTW, Your pic looks like a fat 0.4 to me but we all see things a bit differently. As long as you're consistent in how you're doing it, that's what really matters. If that's your fat 0.5, then measure your 0.6u accordingly (should be the 1.5 mark on the u-100 syringe).
     
  3. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Regarding the air bubbles, I always seem to have 1 big one so I depress the plunger several times until it's a small bubble. I can't seem to thump it out but I will try again tonight to see if my luck has changed. The picture is a little bit more than my standard 0.5u, but I guess it's not enough to make a difference.
     
  4. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    I agree. I think it's time to go back up and try to get some lower number. It's possible that the low number you got on 0.6 last time was a fluke...it just seems that even at a fat 0.5 he's stuck in those higher numbers and that's worrisome.
     
  5. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Yes, you could try 0.6 u because he's been high for the last 4 days. If he pops a dark green at one PS and stalling up to one hour doesn't get him high enough you can skip or try the "barely a drop" technique: push the plunger in firmly, insert the needle into the insulin vial, relax your pressure on the plunger and withdraw the needle. Believe it or not, that can draw a "drop" of insulin into the needle. You then inject normally, taking care to maintain firm pressure on the plunger once the needle is under his skin AND as you draw it out. The drop should be deposited under his skin. That's the smallest possible microdose. You could also try 0.1 u on a dark green PS that's in the high 90s.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2018
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  6. Jenna Josie

    Jenna Josie Member

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    I used to always get one big air bubble! I was taught to draw slowly to avoid that, but one day in frustration, I pulled the plunger quickly instead ... and no air bubble! I don’t understand it, but I think it has something to do with the viscosity of the insulin? Maybe that will work for you as well.
     
  7. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Thank you everyone for your ideas and techniques! :bighug: I'm anxious to get Lewie back on track. I thought he would eventually come down, but his body said no.
    I'll give him more insulin tonight... pulling quickly to avoid air bubbles!
    As a backup plan, I'm so glad to hear about the 1 drop method or the 0.1u instead of skipping! That will be a relief.
    Thanks! Stay tuned. :)
     
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  8. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Today's cycle was looking really good and I GOOFED... again! I fed him dinner AND I gave him his pills (in pill pocket) at +9. Drats. :( I did this same goof just a few days ago. Old habits die hard I guess (+9 was his dinnertime for 15 years). My plan now for +9 is just a small snack and then dinner and pills at +12. And today was looking so good. I'm sorry Lewie. :blackeye:
     
  9. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Lewie's PM+9=462. Guess this is expected since I accidentally fed a full meal a AM+9 yesterday.
     
  10. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Question: It's 3 more hours until Lewie's shot. Is it ok to give him a snack now with his BG is so high?
    Or is it better NOT to feed him and wait?
     
  11. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    It can depend on how carb and food sensitive he is. Some people find that giving food in the second half of the cycle (ie., after +6) can shorten the duration of the insulin in that cycle. It's like almost all things FD - you need to experiment to see how he reacts.
     
  12. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    I think he's very carb sensitive so I'd better make him wait. I've been leaving food out all night because earlier in his journey it seemed having food out helped him stay more level, but I don't know if he eats during the night now... I have other cats so it's difficult to tell.
    I won't purposely feed when he is high AND we are in the second half of the cycle.
    Thank you.
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2018
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  13. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Lewie's had 4 cycles at 0.6u and he's not really budging much so I'm wondering if it's time for a dose increase to a "fat" 0.6u?
    He had 1 good cycle and I messed it up by feeding him a full meal in the 2nd half of a cycle. There's a chance he's still messed up from that perhaps.
    Thoughts?
    :bookworm:
     
  14. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    That was the night he hit the black right? I don't tend to think that would mess him up for so long, but ECID really. If you're worried about that why not wait one more day and then change to the fat 0.6? I do think he needs an increase...I'm hesitant to suggest it since he's dropped before, but I'm really starting to think that was a fluke!
     
  15. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Hi Rachel, I have a couple of questions so that I don't misinterpret your message. What does ECID mean? Also, when you said you're "really starting to think that was a fluke" do you mean the drop to 0.5u?
    :cat:
     
  16. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    ECID = "every cat is different". Rachel was referring to the drop to dark green at PMPS several days ago. You haven't seen that since, hence possibly that was a fluke.
     
  17. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    ECID :)
    Ah! I see. Thank you! Yes, that green is all by itself isn't it. Great catch @Rachel ! :bighug:
     
  18. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    Haha yes I'm sorry! I forget who we have and haven't explained that one to sometimes. Thanks, Kris!
     
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  19. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    I need some help.
    Lewie's body isn't responding to the fat 0.6u. His +8.5 BG = 500. So, obviously something's going on and it must not be good. It's 3 hours until shot time so that means he's going to go super high.
    I feel like I need to shoot earlier.... should I shoot at +10? +11? or wait until +12 and give a higher dose?
    Please help me think outside the box and come up with an idea to get Lewie out of the blacks.
    Thank you in advance.
    :(
     
  20. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Deep breaths! Try not to worry too much about one number. If you look over his SS the past 2+ weeks, he's running high on the 0.5 u to 0.6 u dose. That dark green PS doesn't fit the overall pattern. He probably needs to go up to 0.8 u before he gets too deep into glucose toxicity from being high for too long. I'd bump him up from the fat 0.6 u to 0.8 u in one jump. Get a +2 after that increase. Your goal right now is to shift his nadir down to the high dark greens or very low blues. Don't worry about the PSs if they're high. Ask for help here if he starts giving you yellow PSs.

    Lewie has a variety of health concerns that might be affecting his response to insulin. He's also a little dramatic in his response so that can frighten you. You might have to bite the bullet once in a while and give a full dose on a yellow PS instead of reducing the dose. I'd avoid changing dose times because that will drive you crazy. Also - try not to adjust the dose even by a fat or skinny unless absolutely necessary. That can increase the erratic numbers in volatile kitties. Steady as she goes for these guys ...
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2018
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  21. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    It's going to be okay! Kris has given you excellent advice above that I agree 100% with.

    I know it's hard to watch our kitties be in higher numbers, but remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Lewie didn't become diabetic overnight so it's going to take some time to get him back down, but I believe it can and will be done. We've seen this so much. Kitties get in higher numbers, then they get stuck there due to some glucose toxicity. By the way, that is NOT as scary as it sounds...it basically means Lewie has been in high numbers for a bit and he kind of got used to them so his body is just staying there. It sounds scary because of the toxicity thing, but it's not nearly as bad as it sounds. Kitties going through this usually need fairly fast increases and then one day BAM...they suddenly head down the dosing scale...quickly usually! No one ever believes me when I tell them this (so it won't hurt my feelings if you don't!) but I can promise you it's true. I'm going to start keeping a log of these guys so I can refer you to their SS for some encouragement. :)

    Don't give up Kathy! We'll get Lewie there. You're doing a FABULOUS job and we're here to help, advise, be venting soundboards, or whatever you need! :bighug::bighug:
     
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  22. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Thank you both Kris and Rachel. Yeah, it sure is scary. It it is comforting to know that you both have seen this a lot with other kitties and that there is hope. It's also scary to jump 0.2 units in 1 swoop but he certainly needs help! Maybe it's like a loving slap to wake up his body. lol
    One thing I've been thinking about is that at the beginning I gave his shot at 8am/8pm. Then with all the skips and low numbers, we got into the midnight shots. Now I'm at 9am/9pm because that would be a good vet appointment time, but I think I need to work my way back to 8am/8pm. He wakes up at 5am but I don't. :eek:
     
  23. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Whatever schedule works best for you most of the time! :)
     
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  24. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    I'll be glad when I get there and can determine my own shot schedule! :joyful:

    Here's an article I'm interested in, but I don't understand it! What do you make of this sentence and how it relates to our kitties? It has been well established that the natural diurnal pattern of glucose tolerance is as follows: highest tolerance in the morning, with a gradual decrease into the evening, and lowest tolerance during mid-sleep.
    from: https://ndnr.com/mindbody/glucose-insulin-dynamics-the-powerful-influence-circadian-rhythms/
    Since all my kitties wake up at 5am and mill about until I feed them 3 to 4 hours later, I'm wondering when the optimal shot time would be.
    :cat:
     
  25. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Lewie's PM+2=565 (up from 543) so it looks like he's doing good with the increase to 0.8u.
    :)
     
  26. JL and Chip

    JL and Chip Well-Known Member

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    I agree with Kris and Rachel on the increase.

    I also have this vague sense that the higher numbers started at around the same time you switched to U-100 syringes. I wonder if perhaps you were giving a little more than you thought with the u-40s and are shooting a little "light" on the dose with the u-100s. As sensitive as Lewie can be, maybe that delta, albeit small, might have made a difference. And now that he's used to higher numbers, as others said, he might be sticking there. Dunno, it's just a random thought I wanted to toss out.

    Also, is Lewie showing any signs of an infection? Dental and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are notorious for causing higher BG values. Diabetic cats are prone to urinary tract infections so it wouldn't hurt to tune in to his litterbox habits or run a sample in to the vet.
     
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  27. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Lewie is at 254 this morning so he responded quickly to the 0.8 dose. I hope 0.8 isn't too much this morning.
    Thoughts?
    :bookworm:
     
  28. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Kris, I remembered you said
    so I bit the bullet and gave 0.8u. I'll check at +2 and more this afternoon.
    :cat:
     
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  29. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    This is a very interesting thought. It looks like I started the U-100 syringed on 10/06. I also think I went too low giving 0.5u and stayed at that dose too long.

    I've been worried about UTI because with Lewie's back and leg issues, he sometimes sits a little in his pee and I get a paper towel and dry him off when I see that he's done that. My vet says taking an external sample won't be accurate because of the external bacteria, but doing a cystocentesis is extremely stressful for Lewie because of his back and heartworm issue. He can't be laid on his back... he starts coughing. I haven't seen him going to the little box a million times nor have I seen any blood in his pee so I think we're ok.
     
  30. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    I'm excited to see where Lewie goes today! What a fast response to the increase. Be sure to keep an eye on things today so you can intervene if needed and also so you can see what happens!

    I don't know that sitting in the pee would cause a UTI (but poor Lewie! And poor you...I bet neither of you enjoys the cleaning that happens after that). A cystocentesis is the absolute best way to get the urine sample, yes. Though my kitties are laid on their side for that, not their back (they did it right in the room with me once which was nice...I could see that it really didn't affect her at all). However, that being said...I'm not sure I agree that a free catch sample would be bad. I had one of mine tested with free catch both in AND out of house. The in house sample saw no bacteria at all, and the out of house portion saw SOME bacteria but not much. And the vet and I agreed that probably was just from whatever external bacteria it may have picked up. So we were able to determine she didn't have a UTI using that sample. Yes, cysto is best and if you were pretty certain he had a UTI, I'd recommend it whole heartedly since you can get the best sample from that and then you can do a culture and sensitivity for the best treatment. But I'm not sure it's 100% necessary if you just want to check.
     
  31. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Oh, I wish they would do it on his side. My vet has a padded "frame" (for lack of a better term) that keeps the kitty on their back... he then uses ultrasound to guide the needle.

    Question: Has anybody ever used a liquid water free shampoo for pets? When we were at the emergency vet in January, they used a spray bottle with a liquid that has Lanolin. I've been thinking I should use this to clean up Lewie from time-to-time. Looking for recommendations if you have used such a product. Thanks!
    :cat:
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2018
  32. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Today was out of the blacks THANKGOODNESS, but that's about it. We ended up at a red at PMPS= 419. I'm thankful it wasn't black, but I was hoping for a high yellow. Maybe his body will catch up tomorrow. He's feeling ok. My brother came over today and installed a cat door for me and Lewie was his right-hand man. :cat: (If only my brother liked cats!)
     
  33. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Stay with 0.8 u for today and we can reassess tomorrow AM.

    Re cat shampoo: I can't help you there but I know you can buy "kitty wet wipes" at pet stores. They're safe to use as a quick cleanup.
     
  34. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Ok, thank you. This mornings AMPS=433

    Didn't think about kitty wet wipes! Thank you. I'll buy some.
     
  35. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    Yep, I've used the pet wipes! I'm not saying my cats were thrilled, but it made life MUCH easier for me...and since Lewie is more used to it, he'll probably handle it better.
     
  36. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Glad to hear the wipes really work. Lucky for me, Lewie is very tolerant of everything I do so I think getting wipes will be a good thing. Sometimes when I pick him up to carry him, I have a paper towel in my hand and "just happen" to apply it so that I dry up any dampness. lol
     
  37. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Lewie's AMPS=502 so I guess it's time for a dose increase. Last night I shot 25 minutes early because I'm adjusting his schedule so I can shoot earlier. I didn't take any readings last night, but my guess is he didn't go too low... I don't think his 502 was a bounce for shooting early... If you think otherwise, please let me know. Why I don't think it was a bounce is because it seems like he's needing more insulin these days. I shot 20 minutes early this morning, too, because I have to leave the house tomorrow at 8am so I'm bumping his schedule up.
    Please let me know your thoughts? Thanks.
    :bookworm:
     
  38. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    He's tricky but it seems he needs more insulin. I suggest 0.8 u again tonight and then a bump to 1.0 u tomorrow AM. Continue your small schedule changes until you get where you want to be and feed him normally. Try not to focus on a complex interplay of BG, dose timing, meal timing because it'll drive you nuts, especially with a kitty who's volatile all on his own. :)
     
  39. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Tricky boy, huh? So dosing isn't always this difficult? Oh, well, That's Lewie's body. :cat:
    As a learning moment for me, are we waiting to do a dose increase because his numbers are all over the place at 0.8, or is it because I'm pushing his schedule forward? Thanks.
    :bookworm:
     
  40. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Oh, or... maybe it's because I don't want to bump his dose at night!
     
  41. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    His numbers are high enough to warrant an increase. He's tricky because he's prone to a lot of ups and downs even in higher numbers - red, pink, black, yellow, rinse and repeat. It takes more effort to see through these variations to asses the effect of a dose.
     
  42. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    I had hoped for a better day.... Black - Red - Black today. I'm really surprised we didn't do better.
    :(
     
  43. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    Give it time, Kathy. You'll get him there!
     
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  44. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Thank you for the encouragement Rachel. It's been a crazy 3 weeks so I'm ready! :confused:
     
  45. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Today is a tad better... Red... Pink... Red.
    Tonight is his 4th cycle at 1u. If he is red or black in the morning, do you think it's time for an increase?
    :bookworm:
     
  46. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    I think you could do a increase to 1.2. Looks like your increase brought him down some, so hopefully another one will bring him down a tad more into some nice yellows!
     
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  47. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Yes to trying 1.2 u today. :)
     
  48. Crista & Ming

    Crista & Ming Well-Known Member

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    Hoping 1.2u makes some magic today for Lewie!:bighug:
     
  49. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Thank you everyone for the positive thoughts and encouragement! :bighug:
    Lewie's AMPS=HIGH :( With our meter that's above 600.
    I guess we need to go to the vet. His appointment isn't until mid November, but maybe the bottle of insulin has gone bad... or Lewie isn't doing well.
     
  50. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    p.s. I did give the 1.2u this morning so thank you so much for your early morning posts... it was great to wake up to direction of what to do from all of you. Lewie has a team rooting for him. :cat:
     
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  51. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    PMPS=503
    It was another Black Pink Black day. :(
    I think I need to go up again tomorrow morning. I made an appt for Lewie, but it's not until Tuesday. I don't know that the bottle is bad... expiration date is Nov 2019 and it's been refrigerated except for a couple of times that I left it out on the counter for an hour or so. Should I try to get another bottle of insulin tomorrow? My vet is out of town until Monday, so I'm not sure if the office will give me another bottle before the appt.
    Thoughts? What do you think about his numbers?
    Thank you.:blackeye:
     
  52. Jenna Josie

    Jenna Josie Member

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    Everything I've read says to wait 3-4 cycles before increasing again; however, I hope that someone with more experience will weigh in. Perhaps things are different if/when the numbers are high, although I don't recall ever reading anywhere that that makes a difference.
     
  53. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    It's just so painfully hard to wait when nothing is happening. Ug. Thank you for your reply.
     
  54. JL and Chip

    JL and Chip Well-Known Member

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    I'd call and see if they'd sell you one. It wouldn't hurt to get a new bottle and rule out that the insulin lost its efficacy before your appointment on Tuesday.
     
  55. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    Kathy, first off, I GET it. Watching those numbers sit up high like that is hard. We love our sweet babies so much and we want to do what it takes to make them feel better sooner rather than later.

    Now with that said, no i would wait to raise the dose. I know you want to just up it as soon as you can, but I don't recommend raising the dose that fast. I always give it 3-4 cycles at a minimum because sometimes they need a little time to settle in to a dose. I think Lewie has some glucose toxicity going on and just needs the dose raised until we hit whatever dose suddenly works...and makes him run back down the dosing scale. I've seen it time and time again on here. Why not give it today and see what happens? If he's still high tonight, you can raise the dose either tonight or tomorrow morning. That's just my opinion...you have to do what makes you feel best, but that's how I feel. :)

    How long have you had this bottle of insulin?
     
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  56. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Thank you for encouraging me... I called the clinic and just confidently said I'd like to stop by this morning and pick up a new bottle of insulin for Lewie. They said no problem. Yay. Thank you for also telling me to sit tight. I'm encouraged that we might reach a dose where he will go back down the dosing scale. He's doing the panic eating so I know he's not feeling good glucose-wise.:confused: This morning's AMPS=471

    I've had this bottle since the end of August... so just over 3 months. Is that old?
    If yes, what dose should I give him? If my current bottle has lost its efficacy, giving a dose of the fresh bottle might make him go too low?
    :bookworm:
     
  57. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    No, it isn't that old but it's worth trying a new bottle. You were at a significantly higher dose when you had a lot of blue and dark green. I think you need to continue the cautious dose increases every 3-4 cycles to break the glucose toxicity.
     
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  58. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Just got back from the vet with a new bottle of insulin... same expiration date of 11-19.
    I have 2 options:
    1.) Give the old insulin tonight and give the same dose of the new bottle in the morning. This way I don't have to worry all night. That means he will be on the 1.2u for 5 cycles. OR...
    2.) Give the new insulin tonight and then do a +2 test.

    Since it's probably glucose toxicity, it may be better to do option 2, with the odds being pretty low for the "old" insulin to be bad.

    How damaging is it to Lewie's body to be sitting in the blacks, reds and pinks for a week?
    :bookworm:
     
  59. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    A spell in highs isn't a big problem but those steady small dose increases should shift him eventually.
     
  60. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    Whichever option works best for you is fine. A lot of people prefer increasing during the day so they can keep an eye on things. One cycle won’t hurt if you’d rather wait.
     
  61. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Ok, sounds like a plan. I'll wait until tomorrow morning to give him a dose from the new bottle so I can keep an eye on him throughout the day.
    Thank you all! :bighug:
     
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  62. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    :arghh: AM+10=528
     
  63. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    Interestingly... he dropped to 480 at AM+12 instead of rising.
    I'm good. :cool:
     
  64. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    I'd try 1.4 u today, give it 4 cycles at the most and then go to 1.6 u.
     
  65. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

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    I was going to use the new bottle of insulin this morning. Should I give the 1.4u of the new bottle?
     
  66. JL and Chip

    JL and Chip Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    I'm just doing a fly by ...
    If it were me, I'd change one thing at a time. So I'd probably go with 1.2u this cycle, get some tests, and go from there. Others may differ, that's just my two cents.
     
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  67. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    Thanks. I saw your message and shot the 1.2u with the new bottle for this cycle and I'll get some tests today. If the numbers are looking the same, I'll up the dose to 1.4u tonight.
     
  68. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    Well, it wasn't old insulin... Lewie is still running high today with the new bottle of insulin. I had one glimmer of hope when +6=295.
    AM+10=522
    So, tonight I will up him to 1.4u and follow Kris & Teasel's protocol in post #64.
     
  69. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    Update: PM+2=341
    100 points lower than PMPS of 443 so his body noticed the increase from 1.2u to 1.4u
    And this is using the "old" insulin.
     
  70. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    Just continue those 0.2 u increases every 3-4 cycles until you see blues and greens mid cycle. Ignore the PS highs. Bouncy cats will try to fool you with those! :confused:
     
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  71. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    It's like you knew what was going to happen! Bouncy cat Lewie was High (600+) this morning after his dose increase to 1.4u. Your message was very timely! Thank you!
     
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  72. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    I took Lewie in for a checkup today and everything looks good except that he's lost more weight. The vet said that I should be free-feeding him. The vet was also irritated that I'm checking his numbers at home and insisted that I bring him in once a month for testing.
    Survey: How often does your vet require you to bring your kitty in for a glucose check to continue receiving vet care and insulin?
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2018
  73. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    My vet doesn't expect that. She knows that I'm completely in charge of Teasel's diabetes treatment. He's on Lantus and I'm able to buy it OTC here in Ontario.
     
  74. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2015
    My vet doesn't even want me to bring Sam in since in-office numbers are higher and therefore less accurate. He just takes a peek at the spreadsheet whenever I need a new vial so he can put the right dose on the label :)
     
  75. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    Wow, ya'll are so lucky. Thanks for sharing that there are vets out there that trust what you're doing!
     
  76. Crista & Ming

    Crista & Ming Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2018
    Vet said I don't need to get a fructosamine test if I'm already doing the same thing at home. Previous vet was the same as yours: didn't want me home testing and just to come in every month or 2 weeks to get a test. I know it feels bad to go against your vet but... I trust that what we and you are doing here is what's best for our babies.

    I'm glad Lewie seems to be going down a bit :)
     
  77. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    Yes, I've been "down in the dumps" all day. If I didn't have this group and if I wasn't home testing... and dosing 2x per day without testing as instructed, Lewie would have had some big time crashes.

    Today is much better! He is feeling better, too. Nothing like seeing outstretched paws making biscuits when I walk into the room!
    :joyful:
     
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  78. Crista & Ming

    Crista & Ming Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2018
    Yay4Lewie!! (See what I did there? :cool:)

    Tell me about it. I feel insane and tired and sad and relieved and okay all at once ... I didn't think it was possible but it is to feel all those things at the same time. o_O If it makes you feel any better, you can look at Ming's SS. It might make you go, "Well, here's one cat that's MESSED. UP." LOOOL!!!!

    I also found it really helpful and inspiring to peruse other member's kitty's SS from the beginning. Everyone seemed to have their ups and downs but eventually, made it.

    Also, definitely try to distract yourself or do something you enjoy even if it's just for half an hour. I found it hard to focus when I was super worried about Ming but I forced myself to unplug and reminded myself that he's still here. He's breathing and eating and alive. And I'm doing everything I can to help him.
     
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  79. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2013
    Yes my vet just let me call when I needed more insulin. She saw my SS and realized I knew what I was doing and let me take control from there.

    I agree with Crista. You need to do something nice for yourself. I strongly encourage going out for a walk or going to dinner with a friend on occasion. Just getting out of the house and relaxing can help you feel a lot better!
     
  80. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    Thanks everyone for your positive thoughts! I like the Yay4Lewie! Cute! Lewie is doing better today and even got down to 145 at AM+5. Fingers crossed that we've found our dose for awhile. :cat:
     
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  81. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    A reading of 134 at +7 really had me excited, but he popped up to 550 at +10. I was checking him to make sure he wasn't going too low and imagine my surprise! First reading was 569 so I took a second reading and it was 536 so I took an average to get 550. This pop up to the 500s kinda looks like a pattern for him. Poor guy... he's really tired today... hopefully he will perk up. He did climb up to the top of the couch and hung out there for a few hours. Mom (me) was scared that he'd fall off, but I gotta let him live a little!
     
  82. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2013
    Poor guy! But hey that 134 is super exciting! He probably doesn't feel great from those wild swings, but he will get better in time.
     
  83. JL and Chip

    JL and Chip Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    I'm wondering where he was at +4 through +6 and whether he went significantly lower than 134 and was already on his way back up. That could help explain the skyrocket to black.

    In the past, before this little side trip to high nbers possibly in part to an old bottle of insulin, he used to show some pretty significant drops early in the cycle. There's no guarantee he's still inclined to do that as a cat's response can change over time, but it looks to me like he's having some pretty active cycles on this higher dose. Your PM +3 was notably lower than PS last night so I'm really wondering where he bottomed out. I myself would try to get an additional test in when you see a significant drop by +2 or +3.
     
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  84. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    I didn't see a blue today. Test at +4=308, and +8=354.
    Question: Lewie is hungry now and it's an hour until shot time. I need to get as many calories in him as possible and it seems cruel to make him wait for his dinner. Since I know that he will be high enough to shoot at +12, must I keep him waiting for his food? Can I feed now and shoot in 1 hour? If I offer more food in an hour, I know he will eat more.
    :bookworm:
     
  85. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2013
    Sorry Kathy, we weren't here! Obviously, at this point you can feed and shoot if you haven't. In the future, go ahead and grab a +11 and then if he's high enough, you can probably feed and shoot in 1 hour. Just make sure you mark down on the SS that you fed 1 hour before shot time so your PMPS is a +11.
     
  86. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    Awesome! I'm glad to know that I can feed an hour before shot time! I'll be sure to take a +11 when I do this. Thanks!
     
  87. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    I'm thinking about shooting 1.5 hours early tonight and need your input. I have the opportunity to go out to dinner and I will need to leave 1.5 hours before shot time. The dinner is to listen to a musician and it will be over at 10pm so I would be home by 10:30, which is 2.5 hours late. Lately, Lewie has been Black at +10 and Red at +11.
    What do you think about shooting 1.5 hours early?
    :bookworm:
     
  88. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    You could try shooting early.. He'd likely be OK at the 1.5 u dose but you could shave a little off (0.25 u)?) if that makes you more comfortable.
     
  89. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    Ok. Thank you. He seems to be running a little high again these last 2 days. I'm wondering about this morning's high... he ate a ton of food at midnight and then it was lights out, and even for humans, it's not good to eat that late.
     
  90. JL and Chip

    JL and Chip Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    I like Kris' idea about shaving the dose if you shoot early. I really wonder whether you'd have even reached 1.6 u if you had started the new insulin bottle earlier. Maybe. Maybe not. But he sure looks like he bounced and they stayed high and flat yesterday as a result. Who knows what happened overnight last night.

    As for not being good to eat late at night ... I don't think it matters for cats. They are nocturnal creatures, even if they adjust to our schedules, and they often prefer to "graze." I wouldn't worry too much about that other than if he's eating late in the cycle and it's influencing his PS.
     
  91. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    To recap last night, I shot 1.5 hours early so I could do something social! :) I went ahead and shot his regular 1.6u because his AM+10.5 value was 497. I grabbed at PM+6 and he was 257 so I thought he was having a good cycle. I tested and shot this morning at PM+13 and he was HIGH. I shot 1.6u.
    I guess we are back to running high in the mornings. Does "running flat" mean that he is being insulin resistant?
    :bookworm:
     
  92. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    After about 20 days of reds and blacks in the morning, Lewie has a blue AMPS=179 so I'm stalling a little bit.
    Do you think he's finally settled in to the 1.6u or could this be just a fluke?
     
  93. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2013
    Lewie!!! :cool::cool::cool::cool: Cool blue this morning!

    It's possible that he has settled in to the dose...anything changed about today? Food or anything? Let's hope it's a settling in and not a fluke!
     
  94. Kathy4Lewie

    Kathy4Lewie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2018
    (sorry for the delay... I forgot to hit send!) Nothing has changed since we went to the 1.6u dose. He's had a good day today!
     

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