Murphy low pmps again

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Carol & Murphy (GA)

Carol & Murphy (GA)

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@Sue and Oliver (GA) @Rachel @Robin&BB Murphy's pmps is 157 I am going to stall again but I am not sure he will come up to 200 tonight - now I'm beginning to think that his dose is a little high - assuming he comes up a little but not a lot (I need to get more than the 5 hours of sleep I got last night) - I'm thinking of cutting his dose back to 1.5 or less tonight (he also doesn't seem like he is very hungry) Thoughts?
 
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1.5 sounds fine to me too. I wonder if you'd want to consider the 13/11 schedule. For example, you'd shoot at +13 at night when he tends to be lower. And at +11 in the morning when he tends to be higher.

What do you think?
 
Yes, that's probably best - my only hesitation is that would push it to 8:30 tonight, and I used to like to do the pre bed test (+4) if possible - If I do a +2.5 test tonight - is that adequate?
 
@Sue and Oliver (GA) - Ha! I was just going to write about that; you having mentioned the 13/11 schedule before, I mean. Beat me to it, Quick-Draw!:p
Carol C said:
Yes, that's probably best - my only hesitation is that would push it to 8:30 tonight, and I used to like to do the pre bed test (+4) if possible - If I do a +2.5 test tonight - is that adequate?
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Carol, you may want to set an alarm to do one around +4, just because he may still be hanging onto his food at +2.5 ... (Ugh, I know; setting that alarm is a drag.)
 
Haha Quick Draw Sue!

So I'm late to the party, but I'm going to pop in and say that I think 1.5 is good too...what about doing a +3 test? I hate to ask you to do that since I know you need your sleep, but that might tell you where he is headed to at least see if it'll be an active cycle?
 
No reason to be sorry. You have to give a dose that feels safe to you and that lets you get sleep every so often.

But yes. I'd look at 13/11 and see if it might work.
 
Robin&BB said:
Murphy was at 154 when you gave him his reduced dose, is that correct?
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yes that is the last test I did - I then fed him (he has since eaten more ) and I waited about 20 minutes after the test to give the insulin - would it have been better to not give him a dose?
 
Now Carol, you know better than to apologize for something that isn't your fault! You have to do what feels safe to you...we would never want you to feel you were giving an unsafe dose.
 
Carol C said:
yes that is the last test I did - I then fed him (he has since eaten more ) and I waited about 20 minutes after the test to give the insulin - would it have been better to not give him a dose?
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That's okay, Carol. You'll be checking him anyway, and it was a reduced dose you gave. (I've shot @ 150 before myself.)
 
Carol, you know it won't be this stressful forever. You're just tired out and stressed tonight by the lower numbers. But they are good! This means we've figured something out (anti jinx) and we can work with that.

Plus, you aren't alone! We're here for you.
 
It is stressful when you first start seeing those lower numbers. (But remember the high numbers weren't fun). At least with the lower ones, you know exactly what to do and can bring them up if you need to. He'll be fine; you'll be fine. Look at those numbers.

With the progress he is making, I don't see you still poking Murphy in 5-10 years (anti jinx)

Breathe, honey, breathe. You are doing a great job.
 
Carol, it really does get better. And we've all been to this place, so we all empathize deeply with the way you're feeling right now. It's going to be fine!
You're doing great! (And I'm not just blowing smoke here, either; you truly are.) Rachel & Sue are right - Murphy's showing you good numbers. And hitting those safe greens is just fine; while that was a deep drop yesterday from AMPS, that 92 was a really excellent green number. (But I totally understand how that makes you nervous, given that one bad experience you'd had earlier on ... but remember: That was early on in treatment; you know so much more now about testing & steering - before long, you're going to feel like an old hand at this!:bighug::bighug::bighug: Don't worry, we're right here. (I'm certainly sticking around tonight for you, for a little added moral support ...;))
 
This is what I am thinking....you have heard us say that sometimes our kitties stay up in those high numbers because they get used to it. Actually, so do us humans! Carol, you have been wishing for so long for Murphy to get into those lower numbers. Well, I think Murphy is finally deciding to go there, so we all must go there with him! :)
 
Thanks everyone - just venting from exhaustion. I know you understand this constant, unrelenting stress - be it the high #s, but the lows are equally as bad - I feel as if I can't leave the house and can't get enough sleep and that he can hypo at any moment. I really need 8-9 hrs of sleep, and am getting about half of that seems like night after night and it's hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel. I hate to complain, as others are equally as stressed, I know (how I wish Colin would get into low #)s If only Murphy could be in the greens during the day, and high blues at night - that would be bliss Really I'm okay now - just needed a little freak out at the prospect of another late night
 
Freak out any time you'd like. Try to get some sleep tonight. Didn't Scarlet say "Tomorrow is another day"? I will never forget Carole Burnett in the curtain rod and green velvet curtains playing her. Anyone old enough to remember that?
 
No problem...totally understand, definitely. I must confess that when I was having multiple nights in a row of staying up, I finally had to decrease a dose just to get a good night's sleep. Sometimes you just got to do that, so you can take care of yourself.

You know that I work with raptors at a rescue center. Anyway, we happened to have two, one week old baby Barn Owls come in one day. We have a wonderful, permanent foster parent there that takes care of newborns. Her name is Spinner. I gave her a dish that had little pieces of mice for Spinner and her two babies. I watched her as she fed herself first while the babies were crying for food. I asked the owner of this center why Spinner would eat first before her babies? She said that in the wild, the parents always and have to eat first because if they don't survive, then the babies don't survive.

So I thought that this story is very relevant....you must survive first!
 
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Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
Didn't Scarlet say "Tomorrow is another day"? I will never forget Carole Burnett in the curtain rod and green velvet curtains playing her. Anyone old enough to remember that?
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OMG, that was one of the most hilarious Carol Burnett skits EVER!!! Gone With The Wind was just on TCM the other night, and I can never watch that scene where Scarlett starts eyeing those velvet drapes to make a dress without also seeing Carol Burnett with that curtain rod across the shoulders of her new "dress" as she delivers her famous line: "I saw it in the window and just had to have it!":D
 
No I have not heard of that book. I just got through reading about it on Amazon. It sounds pretty amazing and like a tear jerker too.
 
I don't blame you, Carol! Sometimes you need to freak out (and you deserve it!). Here's what I'm prescribing: a glass of wine, a bubble bath, and some sleep. Like Cindi said..maybe you decrease the dose a bit one night to allow yourself to sleep. That's totally okay to do. If you're stressed out and miserable, you're not enjoying your cat the way you should. And he knows when you don't feel well. Give yourself a rest. You need it.
 
Good morning Sharon - I didn't get enough sleep but more than the night before I think my 8 hrs are a thing of the past Murphy is at 501 this morning - should have listened to the wise ones on the board and given him 1.5, but I cut back. I cut back on his dose a bit this morning as well since the one I gave yesterday seemed to last too long, but I probably could have given it because of seeing black this am.
How are you and Colin? I hope you feel better about everything - the general consensus on the big view of his spreadsheet is that his #s are looking better overall. Did you increase his insulin to 6 units?
Did you ever try the slippery elm for yourself?
One good thing about all this is I weighed myself today and I've lost 6 lbs in the last 2.5 months without even trying- stress is a great appetite killer
 
I just looked at Murphy's spreadsheet and saw the 501. I still think you did fine last night, you need to rest. I too have lost weight since Colin's Dx, I didn't need to, but now I can eat more ice cream(I love ice cream!). I feel better about Colin, he seems to feel fine, so as long as he's not suffering we'll keep trying to get those numbers down where they belong. I increased to 6u last night. See no difference yet, but it takes a few cycles to fill the depot, so I'll be patient. I am taking the slippery elm and it definitely has helped me. I'm not giving it to Colin, but won't hesitate to if I think he needs it. The Young Again samples came yesterday, and he loves it, so I'll order a bag of that. Maybe that will help alleviate his hunger stress.
 
Well, I guess weight loss is a good side effect, Carol. if you needed to!

All I can say is that, the more he is in lower ranges, the more you will be comfortable with them (honest) and the more confident you feel about bringing them up, the better you will feel about seeing them. The good thing is that he seems to go right back down and get in good ranges.

Can you start getting naps during the day? Would that help?
 
Sharon, that whole cat part of this is SO important. If he is feeling better, more like his old self, you are doing well! His attitude and well being may be as important as those dreaded numbers. As someone wise once said to me. He doesn't know he is diabetic. He only knows he feels pretty good and Mom gives him extra attention, good treats and lots of great food.
 
Yes, Sharon, I'm glad you are feeling better too - what Sue said is very important - and it's what my vet friend said to me when Murphy was still in the reds and blacks - how does he look? Is his fur nice? Is he playing?
I am going to try the 11/13 (his 501 was taken at 11 hrs after last dose) but I can do the 13 tonight since I am (get ready for it) going out tonight!
I hope some of you take my suggestion and read Wesley the Owl - I hadn't thought about that book in a few years, but I am going to re-read it as it is amazing and you will never look at an owl the same
 
Carol C said:
Yes, Sharon, I'm glad you are feeling better too - what Sue said is very important - and it's what my vet friend said to me when Murphy was still in the reds and blacks - how does he look? Is his fur nice? Is he playing?
I am going to try the 11/13 (his 501 was taken at 11 hrs after last dose) but I can do the 13 tonight since I am (get ready for it) going out tonight!
I hope some of you take my suggestion and read Wesley the Owl - I hadn't thought about that book in a few years, but I am going to re-read it as it is amazing and you will never look at an owl the same
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Have fun tonight, Carol!
 
So glad you're going out tonight, Carol. You really do need to take time just for YOU. Great comments & encouragement above from everyone here, btw!:)

Even now, when I'm feeling frustrated, I sometimes need to remind myself that Bat is more than a BG number ... and I sometimes also need to remind myself that I am more than a diabetic kitty's caregiver --- & that it's perfectly okay to reacquaint myself with doing something truly fun.

The only way I've managed to get through the "lack o' sleep" roller coaster is what @Sue and Oliver (GA) suggested: NAPS! Sometimes just 30-45 min. of stretching out with my eyes closed (more like a cat-nap); my other naps are either 1.5 hrs. or (if I really get lucky) 3 hours after about noon or 1 pm.

Ha, you should see all the multiple alarm settings on my phone:p: AMPS, PMPS, nadir check times, nap times, etc! Seriously, naps really help. And even though I'm one of those who historically has never fallen asleep easily, I've been amazed at how - with a little practice - my body/brain has somehow adapted, enabling me to drop off in just 10-15 minutes!:D I also turn the ringer of my phone OFF at nap times now ... 'cause if someone's going to call me, of course it's going to happen right after I've nodded off!:rolleyes:

You're doing a super-great job with Murphy, Carol. So here's to a lovely evening out! (Am toasting you with my morning :coffee: cup.) :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
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