1st Glucose Curve- Dracula has left the building!

Bailey and I both survived the first Glucose Curve and Bailey actually doesn't hate me. It was not fun playing Dracula and sucking her blood all day but Bailey was a real trooper. She even came to me when it was time for the next test. She did let out a meow on the last test. I am sure her poor foot pads are raw. (I don't do her ears). I do know that the freeze dried chicken treats really helped ease the blow of each test.

Her SS is updated so if any of you Pros want to take a look at it and give me your input it would be greatly appreciated. We see the Vet on Tuesday for the official results.

I am guessing she will need a slight increase in her dose. My Vet did tell me that Bailey will be tough to regulate because she is taking the Prednisolone (steroid) as it is known to elevate blood glucose.

 

Great job getting the curve!! Congrats.

Now, can I twist your arm into getting a "before bed" test every night?

You are likely correct about Bailey needing an increase. However, I'd like to have a bit larger sample of spot checks to make sure that Bailey's nadir values warrant the increase in dose.

If you'd like, you will be able to get a great deal of help over on the Lantus forum.

Is the anemia chronic or does the vet think this will resolve over time?

 

Bailey won't like getting her blood sucked at bedtime but I am sure she will like the treats. I will try.

Weekends I can get more spot checks but weekdays I am at work.

The "jargon" on the Lantus forum has "scared" me away so far as I am still a newbie but I will get there.

My Vet said that Bailey will "probably" need to be on the Prednisolone for her anemia for the rest of her life. As she said "probably" then maybe there's a chance it's not chronic? I will ask her again on Tuesday.

 

There is no rush to start posting over on the Lantus forum. You are right in that there is a lot of information there and a lot of posts. Don't be too scared.

Maybe first go over to the Lantus forum and read through the Sticky posts at the top of the forum. Start with The Basics New to the Group? Start here.

Not bad for your first curve. Glad that Bailey is looking for those treats at test time. Makes it so much easier.

Do please try to get at least one before bed test. Many cats are more active at night and BG's can run lower then. Without any test data at night, you are "missing half the data". People do work and we realize you have to adjust what you can do around all their other life responsibilities - including treating ourselves!

Maybe a PM before bed test or 2 will also help when you when you see your vet. Around +3 or later if you can manage it.

Looks to me like an increase in dose would help. I see you have SLGS (start low, go slow) on your SS (spreadsheet) as the lantus protocol you would like to use. By that method and her curve results, Bailey is ready for a 0.25 Unit increase. Do you have syringes with half unit markings? You are seeing your vet on Tuesday, let's see if she concurs. A 1U increase would be too much as you might bypass a lower dose that would work better.

Slow and easy. The turtle not the hare. Marathon not a sprint. Chocolate treats for you, freeze dried chicken for Bailey.

 

After the post from Sienne I did go to the Lantus forum and printed the page of Glossary terms used on the forum. When I first visited the forum after Bailey was prescribed Lantus the wording on just the post titles scared me away. I didn't even open any of the posts. Today when I visited I actually understood that they were their BG numbers from their SS! Amazing what we learn in just a few short weeks.

I will try and get a +3 tonight and depending on if I get to bed on time I could probably get a +4 (+5 if I don't get to bed on time). Getting up at 3:45 am so I can get to work by 6:00 am is tough. Especially now that the winter weather is really starting to hit. The roads are not cleared that early in the morning.

I use WalMart's ReliOn syringes and they do have .50 marks. If her dose is increased only .25 do I have to "eyeball" it? If so time to get my magnifiers/readers out!

I made some Homemade Hot Chocolate mix at Christmas so I have been getting MY Chocolate Treats! And I have picked up more Freeze Dried Chicken treats last night after I was done doing the curve so Bailey is set too!

 

Yes, eyeball it. Pictures here in the following link on fine dosing, scroll about 3/4 of the way down. It's in the Sticky Insulin Care & Syringe Info - Proper Handling Drawing and Fine Dosing. Guess from where? Over in the ISG Lantus/Basaglar/Levimir forum. At least I usually know where to find things to help people out.

Basically, you are eyeballing between the 0.5 marks and the marks below that.

There is probably more information here on the FDMB then vets learned during training. It's like a college level course in managing feline diabetes 101 - the day to day practical stuff.

I understand on the slippery roads early and not always being treated before you need to drive to work. Early riser here too, even though I'm retired. Although I'm not usually up quite THAT early. Rained here and then fell below freezing here so a bit icy on my steps. Warming up here though.

How early do you go to sleep? I'm usually a goner by 8:30/9 PM

 

I just returned here from there. LOL! I printed that page. I will be making an info book. (I am old school even though I live on computers)

Usually fall asleep around 10:00pm but have been trying to at least get to bed by 8:00pm. Doesn't happen very often though! I average 5-6 hrs sleep per night. I slept in today though. Or should I say I went back to sleep after taking care of Bailey (and Brandy and Gypsy my other cats).

Hugs to all for your help and continued encouragement!

 

I managed to get a PM +4 (was busy at +3 time) and it was lower than I thought it would be. I will have to do more before bedtime spot checks in the future.