Disheartened before curve

Status
Not open for further replies.
I believe I read that with ProZinc you can change with 30 minutes a day? I'm afraid I won't have him on the same time by Sunday.
 
Oh that's a good question, I am surprised it had not crossed my mind about daylights savings but I have not been operating on all circuits lately, lol. I think it is 30 mins per cycle but when I moved Maury I did do 30 mins per day. I just found an old post (we're not the first to wonder ;)). http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/daylight-savings-time-march-13th.153929/#post-1625244

FYI: The times listed for Option A are for Lantus users. I think we would use Option B :cat:. Envious of AZ and HI people lol
 
You can do 30 min per cycle or per day...Prozinc is lucky as it has the flexibility. You could do it in 15 min increments too. 15 min earlier tonight, 15 min earlier tomorrow morning, 15 min earlier tomorrow night...and then BAM on Sunday morning, you're at an hour earlier! :) Or you could do 30 min earlier tonight and then 30 min earlier tomorrow night...

It's up to you and however it works best with your schedule. I changed my cats feeding time over a weekend due to my work schedule change and I did it by 15 min for each meal until we were eating an hour later...they barely noticed due to the small changes. :)
 
Caitlin M said:
AMPS was 356, thinking of just another skinny 2 but his pre shots have been pretty consistent since yesterday morning! I just realized I'm doing his curve on Sunday but it's also the time change. How do I make sure this doesn't mess anything up? Do I start a time change myself tonight so it equals out by Sunday? What do I do?! :nailbiting:
Click to expand...
With ProZinc you can just shift the time and not worry. I did that with Teasel. To lessen the impact you could do it in two 30 minute increments today and tomorrow. He should be stable enough by Sunday but you should make a note of it when you do your curve.
 
Oh boy, we had fun getting the PMPS today! Took almost over 20 minutes longer than usual. His ear wouldn't bleed! Anywho, 422, so I'll give him 2 units and begin the time transition tomorrow.
 
Caitlin - maybe there's something in the air today. I couldn't get Sam's ear to bleed for anything! Both this morning and this evening. Good job getting it done! Are you doing the curve tomorrow or Sunday?
 
Djamila said:
Caitlin - maybe there's something in the air today. I couldn't get Sam's ear to bleed for anything! Both this morning and this evening. Good job getting it done! Are you doing the curve tomorrow or Sunday?
Click to expand...
Is there a full moon or something?! I'm doing it Sunday. Gonna do the time change thing tomorrow and hope for the best with the curve.
 
Couldn't get blood again this morning and I was so exhausted that I just couldn't try again. The second I try to keep him still he turns into a growl monster and I wasn't willing to fight. Based on prior AMPS's I'm going with a skinny 2. Might just give his ears a break before tomorrow, especially given how this just went.
 
Caitlin M said:
Couldn't get blood again this morning and I was so exhausted that I just couldn't try again. The second I try to keep him still he turns into a growl monster and I wasn't willing to fight. Based on prior AMPS's I'm going with a skinny 2. Might just give his ears a break before tomorrow, especially given how this just went.
Click to expand...
Sometimes you just have to do what you can do. A SS full of data is a great reference for times like this. Breathe ...
 
I went back to the 30 lancets this morning. I decided that one effective poke was better than 3 bad pokes and a squeeze. He ended up with a bruise from yesterday which he hasn't had in ages. :blackeye: I'm going to watch his water intake today. I'm wondering if he's a little dehydrated.

Rachel said:
I think there actually is a full moon!
Click to expand...

Well, that explains it! Hopefully that won't make my curve today all wonky! ;)
 
Caitlin, have you considered trying to quick pokes next to each other? I used to do that in the beginning...just immediately poke poke. That helped while her ears were learning to bleed.

As Kris said, you do what you have to, though! We know it's hard, and you have data you can use. And you can keep an eye on him visually and just see how he SEEMS...that's valuable too (sometimes more valuable than numbers as it reminds us that our kitties are doing okay, even when numbers are wonky!). Give yourself a break...we've all been there. :bighug:
 
Djamila said:
I went back to the 30 lancets this morning. I decided that one effective poke was better than 3 bad pokes and a squeeze. He ended up with a bruise from yesterday which he hasn't had in ages. :blackeye:
Click to expand...

I'm still using the 26 gauge lancets-aren't those the thickest, therefore better at producing blood? I checked his ears just now and they are looking SO much better from the bruising. I hadn't considered that it may be the size lancets? If I got 30, would it be easier to get blood?
Rachel said:
Caitlin, have you considered trying to quick pokes next to each other? I used to do that in the beginning...just immediately poke poke. That helped while her ears were learning to bleed.

As Kris said, you do what you have to, though! We know it's hard, and you have data you can use. And you can keep an eye on him visually and just see how he SEEMS...that's valuable too (sometimes more valuable than numbers as it reminds us that our kitties are doing okay, even when numbers are wonky!). Give yourself a break...we've all been there. :bighug:
Click to expand...
I would LOVE to be able to do two quick pokes! Lately I'm amazed that I can get one before he shimmies away :confused: His ears used to bleed so well! Like the first two weeks I was stunned. Maybe I do need to change lancets? I think I also need to be a little more sympathetic again towards the experience. I think I've just been expecting him to be used to it and stop fighting, but may need to think about how I went into it in the beginning when I was new doing it and wanted to be so careful and gentle. Not that I'm hostile and jabby now! But yeah... visually he seems to be doing so well!

Ok, I was asked to possibly babysit for about 6 hours tomorrow. I'm already 3 weeks past his initial dose, so I know he needs a curve done and I was planning for tomorrow. Pita is my number 1 priority but I'm wondering if it's possible to just keep doing one more week of 'normal' testing and do the curve next weekend? This makes me feel horrible even wondering, but the money would be SO good and could be put towards his supplies. Thoughts?!
 
Caitlin M said:
I'm still using the 26 gauge lancets-aren't those the thickest, therefore better at producing blood? I checked his ears just now and they are looking SO much better from the bruising. I hadn't considered that it may be the size lancets? If I got 30, would it be easier to get blood?

I would LOVE to be able to do two quick pokes! Lately I'm amazed that I can get one before he shimmies away :confused: His ears used to bleed so well! Like the first two weeks I was stunned. Maybe I do need to change lancets? I think I also need to be a little more sympathetic again towards the experience. I think I've just been expecting him to be used to it and stop fighting, but may need to think about how I went into it in the beginning when I was new doing it and wanted to be so careful and gentle. Not that I'm hostile and jabby now! But yeah... visually he seems to be doing so well!

Ok, I was asked to possibly babysit for about 6 hours tomorrow. I'm already 3 weeks past his initial dose, so I know he needs a curve done and I was planning for tomorrow. Pita is my number 1 priority but I'm wondering if it's possible to just keep doing one more week of 'normal' testing and do the curve next weekend? This makes me feel horrible even wondering, but the money would be SO good and could be put towards his supplies. Thoughts?!
Click to expand...
I don't think there's a problem waiting a week to do a curve. Money for FD supplies is a good thing! :D
 
Kris & Teasel said:
I don't think there's a problem waiting a week to do a curve. Money for FD supplies is a good thing! :D
Click to expand...
Oh thank goodness. I have no problem saying no to it, but it was weird thinking 'I should say no because he needs the curve. But I should say yes because the money can go to his stuff...'. Thank you!
 
I know I'm not an expert on all of this, and tend to "cheat" a little on my own curves (I never do the +10 test since I know he's rising by then), so take this with a giant grain of salt, but you more or less did a curve during the AM cycle on 2/26. And you're getting lots of data during the PM cycles. You're getting enough data to pretty much tell where the nadir falls in the cycle, and at least for the PM cycles, to see that Pita isn't dropping too low. That's really the point of doing the curves anyway: Keep the kitties safe and have a sense of the efficacy of the doses. So again, I'm open to being corrected on this if I'm misunderstanding it all, but it looks like you're getting the information you really need, even if you haven't done an 'official' curve.
 
Djamila said:
I know I'm not an expert on all of this, and tend to "cheat" a little on my own curves (I never do the +10 test since I know he's rising by then), so take this with a giant grain of salt, but you more or less did a curve during the AM cycle on 2/26. And you're getting lots of data during the PM cycles. You're getting enough data to pretty much tell where the nadir falls in the cycle, and at least for the PM cycles, to see that Pita isn't dropping too low. That's really the point of doing the curves anyway: Keep the kitties safe and have a sense of the efficacy of the doses. So again, I'm open to being corrected on this if I'm misunderstanding it all, but it looks like you're getting the information you really need, even if you haven't done an 'official' curve.
Click to expand...
You're absolutely right. A dense scatter of BG tests at many times over many days will be better than a BG curve in showing the response to a dose. A curve is a snapshot while the other tests are a movie.
 
Djamila said:
I know I'm not an expert on all of this, and tend to "cheat" a little on my own curves (I never do the +10 test since I know he's rising by then), so take this with a giant grain of salt, but you more or less did a curve during the AM cycle on 2/26. And you're getting lots of data during the PM cycles. You're getting enough data to pretty much tell where the nadir falls in the cycle, and at least for the PM cycles, to see that Pita isn't dropping too low. That's really the point of doing the curves anyway: Keep the kitties safe and have a sense of the efficacy of the doses. So again, I'm open to being corrected on this if I'm misunderstanding it all, but it looks like you're getting the information you really need, even if you haven't done an 'official' curve.
Click to expand...
Kris & Teasel said:
You're absolutely right. A dense scatter of BG tests at many times over many days will be better than a BG curve in showing the response to a dose. A curve is a snapshot while the other tests are a movie.
Click to expand...
Thank you both so much! I think for now I want to focus on us getting better with the poking again. Any input on the lancet gauge size?
 
Caitlin M said:
Thank you both so much! I think for now I want to focus on us getting better with the poking again. Any input on the lancet gauge size?
Click to expand...
I use 28 gauge lancets and I poke free hand with the lancet sitting in the holder so I have something bigger to hold on to (wonky hands).
 
ARG! I'm so so sorry! I messed that up! The 30's are the little ones, the 26's are the big ones. I took a sharpie and wrote BIG and LITTLE on the boxes because I kept forgetting, but then when I posted I reversed it.
 
Well, we just had a very good, easy test :):facepalm: PMPS is 335 and I'm going to give him a fat 2 units about 30 minutes early to get ready for tomorrow. I feel good! And he's had a great day. Playing with catnip, chasing his brother (which is hilarious to watch) and then some snuggling on my lap. Will try to do a +5 since it looks like that's usually his nadir.
 
Caitlin M said:
Well, we just had a very good, easy test :):facepalm: PMPS is 335 and I'm going to give him a fat 2 units about 30 minutes early to get ready for tomorrow. I feel good! And he's had a great day. Playing with catnip, chasing his brother (which is hilarious to watch) and then some snuggling on my lap. Will try to do a +5 since it looks like that's usually his nadir.
Click to expand...
Post test debrief: what made this test go so smoothly? What was different? What was the same?
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Post test debrief: what made this test go so smoothly? What was different? What was the same?
Click to expand...
Biggest thing- mindfulness. He goes right to his spot every time and starts purring for treats. I didn't play music like I have been. I placed a pillow behind him as a buffer without touching him. Gave him maybe a few less treats each time I warmed. Tried to even my breathing a bit. I honestly think just mindfulness. He was ready to eat so he wasn't necessarily 'calm' but he didn't squirm as much either.
 
I'm at PetSmart and picked up a couple cans if Friskies Pate for then to try. They're 5.5 oz a can instead of the 3 for FF and they're a little cheaper. Anyone have any input on it? I can also make a new thread on the main post.
 
I think that's why many people go with the Friskies. Everything else about our sugar kitties is so expensive - it's one place you can maybe save a little.
 
Caitlin M said:
I'm at PetSmart and picked up a couple cans if Friskies Pate for then to try. They're 5.5 oz a can instead of the 3 for FF and they're a little cheaper. Anyone have any input on it? I can also make a new thread on the main post.
Click to expand...
I regularly mix Friskies pates with Teasel's prescription DM wet. I've kept buying the DM because he likes it, it's probably lower carb than Friskies so mixing reduces the overall carb level from Friskies alone. The addition of Friskies adds flavour variety. I sometimes mix in Fancy Feast as well.
 
Djamila said:
I think that's why many people go with the Friskies. Everything else about our sugar kitties is so expensive - it's one place you can maybe save a little.
Click to expand...
Yes, very true! Wasn't sure if there was a reason it seems like people gravitate towards the FF more than Friskies. That's what it seems like at least! My goal isn't necessarily to get Pita into remission (although it's be awesome), but I do want him to be as well regulated as possible. I know a lot of people contribute their food to it.
 
Not sure...I never used FF. I used Friskies (though we're all on Wellness now). But I wanted the bigger cans since I have several cats.
 
I was! We didn't have any problems and they seemed to love it. They eventually discontinued the kind I was using, so we switched to another food, but that was just due to the need for super low carbs...Gypsy couldn't handle above 5% as opposed to most kitties who are fine with under 10%.
 
If I can judge by its appearance, smell etc. the Friskies food is just as good as the prescription DM that Teasel gets. A taste test isn't going to happen though ... :eek:
 
Rachel said:
I was! We didn't have any problems and they seemed to love it. They eventually discontinued the kind I was using, so we switched to another food, but that was just due to the need for super low carbs...Gypsy couldn't handle above 5% as opposed to most kitties who are fine with under 10%.
Click to expand...
Great to know, thank you!
Kris & Teasel said:
If I can judge by its appearance, smell etc. the Friskies food is just as good as the prescription DM that Teasel gets. A taste test isn't going to happen though ... :eek:
Click to expand...
Hahaha, aww, come on Kris! Live a little :p
 
I only feed Friskies to Maury. I got a couple cans of FF Gravy Lovers for if he dips low. I had a couple HC Friskies for that but ended up wasting more because he only gets like 1T at a time. Figured I would use the smaller cans for if he gets too low :)
 
AMPS was 287! Last time it was around this number he was getting 1.8 u. Going to give the 2 and try to get a +5 before I go babysit.
 
Ok, our +5 is a beautiful 99! Now the kicker- I leave in 30 minutes. Should I give him anything before I leave or maybe even try to do a +5.5? Thanks!
 
Caitlin M said:
Ok, our +5 is a beautiful 99! Now the kicker- I leave in 30 minutes. Should I give him anything before I leave or maybe even try to do a +5.5? Thanks!
Click to expand...
You could try a 5.5 to see if he's holding or dropping. Leave him a little low carb food just in case.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top