Testing Newbie: Bad First Experience

[Livvy's Lady]

YAY!!! I have just been reading through all the posts and didn't have any info to add because all the bases seemed to be covered.
That's awesome, congratulations
I think for me the ear warming was the best advice I got to help getting a successful tests in for Uncle.
I've been testing him since Oct 2016. You know what's crazy? When I gently shake the container that holds the strips, he runs over to his ottoman, climbs up and waits for me to test him. I NEVER thought I'd see anything like that!

Wow! I'm definitely going to need to introduce treats to get to that advanced level!

This morning pre-breakfast was a struggle, simple because Livvy wanted to get down to continue her begging routine.

I got a sample which resulted in a 171 (at +12, before any food). I didn't believe it. So I tried another right away, and it was 145. So two things went through my mind: first, that's a really high variance iPhone which I knew about, but I didn't realize it would be that high! Second, I think this meter is running low-it's certainly low compared to what the vet would've found that +12, based on past experience.

Now that I seem to of gotten the hang of this (fingers crossed), I'm going to map out a time when I can do a whole curve. I was reading the board about how this can be done by somebody who works full-time.

I'll start a spreadsheet, and away we go!

 

[Livvy's Lady]

Oh yeah, wanted to mention you might want to check Livvy again at +6 to make sure she stays above 68 on the AlphaTrak. If it were my cat I would get another test around +6 since it's the first test she's had and you can't know how fast (of if) her BG is dropping from her pre-shot.
Just a thought.

That's great advice. I'm about to check to see if I can work from home for the morning to make that happen. That might have to be an overnight strategy for me. Darn this pesky job! LOL!

 

[LizzieInTexas]

Hoorraayy! Congratulations!

Yes, please check her, ideally at +2, and post # here. That is a low PS # to shoot so we need to make sure she is at safe numbers.

I don't use treats when testing, like you, had never given treats before. I just give him lots of verbal praise and lovins and scratches.

ETA - I do give these every now and then and Gizmo goes wild for them

https://www.chewy.com/purebites-beef-liver-freeze-dried/dp/35170

 

[Livvy's Lady]

Thanks! I'm going to try to squeeze in a test at +2 before leaving for work. If she looks to be trending low, I'm not sure what to do...but I think that's unlikely. Despite being on insulin for weeks, she has been drinking crazy amounts and peeing crazy amounts. We've spoken to the vet about it. She's already at 3units (seems like a lot), and he hasn't suggested increasing (probably makes sense - she only weighs 10.5lbs at this point). At the vet's, her last test was 277 at +10, and that's been typical at the vets at that time. We think that maybe she has some other issue(s) given the strange twirling episodes. So we're off to a specialist on Monday of next week...and maybe back to the regular vet this week.

 

[Livvy's Lady]

Could Livvy's numbers look low this AMPS because of too little blood? The meter seemed to register fine, but I really did get only the tiniest drop each sample. I'm using a 28g lancet in the device that came with the Alpha Trak II, set at depth 1.

 

[Livvy's Lady]

Livvy is at 206 now, at +2. I think that I may have had too little blood at AMPS this morning, but I can't be sure. My husband will keep an eye on her this morning until noon (which will be +6). Thanks again for all of the support. I'll make a spreadsheet today and keep tracking!

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

I did it! First successful at-home blood glucose test tonight / but at least now I know that I can do it! Thank you all so much for your help throughout the day. Truly.

Of course you did it, we all knew you could. Wait until you have to get a pee sample from a dog. I had to follow her with a little pie plate and then left up her tail at just the right moment. I'm sure the neighbors had their suspicions confirmed, "See, he is nuts. And that poor dog, better call Animal Services".
Continued good luck.

 

[Livvy's Lady]

Oh, my. What we'll do for our pets!

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

Yes, I just love washing my hands from the elbows down with an SOS pad and gasoline after cleaning 5 litter boxes. I know they wait until I've swept the basement stairs and floor, used a putty knife to scrape up souvenirs (mementos, keepsakes, tokens of remembrance) and mopped the cement wall where they "missed". "If you sprinkle while you tinkle..." They all look so innocent don't they? Right before they knock me down the stairs and run to the boxes. 1, 2, 3... poop and kick! It's a conspiracy.

 

[Livvy's Lady]

Yikes! Makes our two kitties seem like angels! Well, except for the odd "present" from Livvy while she's been feeling poorly. She's definitely started to think outside the box, so to speak.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

Oh yes, "Angels". When "those people" come knocking at out door we just say "We worship our dark Lord and Master, Satan. Do you have a brochure?" Then if they're still near the door they might see a cat, or 6 cats. "Here Beelzebub". That's when it's time to leave. I'm not a bad person am I? Maybe more like Crazy Joe Davola.

 

[Barbara & Uncle (GA)]

I'll start a spreadsheet, and away we go!

That's great. It will be easier for you to get opinions and answers to your dosing questions etc. when you start getting the SS going.
Again, congrats on getting the tests in!

 

[Livvy's Lady]

Thanks! My outlook on testing is looking brighter now. This afternoon, I'm taking Livvy to the vet so that we can each test the same blood sample with our meters to see how they compare. The vet actually suggested that. It sounds like some people on this forum don't go through that step. Anyway, we'll see the extent to which they agree.

 

[Barbara & Uncle (GA)]

I'm definitely going to need to introduce treats to get to that advanced level!

I honestly don't know how it happened! I only used treats (bonito flakes) when I very first started out testing. Uncle would get so wild and wiggly because of the treats he wouldn't hold still for the tests and I finally stopped giving them to him.

 

[Barbara & Uncle (GA)]

Thanks! My outlook on testing is looking brighter now. This afternoon, I'm taking Livvy to the vet so that we can each test the same blood sample with our meters to see how they compare. The vet actually suggested that. It sounds like some people on this forum don't go through that step. Anyway, we'll see the extent to which they agree.

I think some people do. It's crazy though. I've taken 2 tests in a row (matter of seconds) and had different results. So please remember that the meters can have up to a 20% variance. It seems weird but it is legally allowed and just something to keep in mind

 

[Glennie]

Lucky for us, Livvy is pretty docile. Reading your post, I think that I was probably hitting the vein. Poor Livvy!

She is food motivated most of the time, but we feed her on a really strict schedule. Maybe it's not necessary any more, but while she was in remission we developed the habit of feeding 2x/day, and limiting access to the food to three hours starting at each feeding time 12 hours apart. From what I've read, that was a good strategy to keep her body producing insulin. Is that still a good habit while she's on Lantus?

At any rate, luckily she likes petting a lot, and loves hugs. Since she's been sick, she loves it when I hold her - she rests her head on my throat and purrs while laying on me like a rag doll. It's sweet but also sad to see her with her energy so low. Regardless of this, I can reward here with extra hugs and kisses!

I'm also fortunate that she loves having her ears stroked, right up to the tips. I've done that with her for years, so having her ears handled isn't an issue. Poking a vein - that's an issue. I'm hoping that was the problem this morning. If at first you don't succeed, try try again, as they say!

It's heartening to know that you struggled at first but now can do this easily. That gives me hope. Thanks!

Hi, Livvy's Lady! The testing does get easier. I was terrified at first, and it took me days to get a successful test. Now I don't know how I was injecting without testing her BG first. But in the beginning it scared me more than the injections. I still don't like it, but we get it done. The warm sock works wonders. After using it to warm her ears, I wrap my insulin-filled syringe in it to warm that also. We were having problems with her crying at injection time, but she's better since I've been doing that. The advice on here regularly saves us, and warming the syringe was just one more time these 'beans' came to my rescue. I do use the lancet device (the device does it) since I don't have to poke her myself, and after using the larger 26 gauge lancets for a few weeks, I was able to change over to smaller 30 gauge size.

About the food...we feed Callie whenever she is hungry except the 2 hours before AMPS or PMPS. From what I've read from experienced members, they say smaller meals eaten more often are easier on the pancreas.

Hang in there--it does get easier--most days. Livvy sounds like a little love.

 

[Livvy's Lady]

I honestly don't know how it happened! I only used treats (bonito flakes) when I very first started out testing. Uncle would get so wild and wiggly because of the treats he wouldn't hold still for the tests and I finally stopped giving them to him.

Funny that you said that! I had trouble testing Livvy AMPS because she was so eager to get down to eat! Treats might have the same affect on us.

 

[Livvy's Lady]

I think some people do. It's crazy though. I've taken 2 tests in a row (matter of seconds) and had different results. So please remember that the meters can have up to a 20% variance. It seems weird but it is legally allowed and just something to keep in mind

I'm thinking that this "calibration" experiment at the vet's has to use the same blood sample - same drop, not two different drops - because of the variance. (I'm probably going to drive my vet crazy...SO MANY QUESTIONS!)

 

[Livvy's Lady]

Hi, Livvy's Lady! The testing does get easier. I was terrified at first, and it took me days to get a successful test. Now I don't know how I was injecting without testing her BG first. But in the beginning it scared me more than the injections. I still don't like it, but we get it done. The warm sock works wonders. After using it to warm her ears, I wrap my insulin-filled syringe in it to warm that also. We were having problems with her crying at injection time, but she's better since I've been doing that. The advice on here regularly saves us, and warming the syringe was just one more time these 'beans' came to my rescue. I do use the lancet device (the device does it) since I don't have to poke her myself, and after using the larger 26 gauge lancets for a few weeks, I was able to change over to smaller 30 gauge size.

About the food...we feed Callie whenever she is hungry except the 2 hours before AMPS or PMPS. From what I've read from experienced members, they say smaller meals eaten more often are easier on the pancreas.

Hang in there--it does get easier--most days. Livvy sounds like a little love.

Livvy is a little love! I have to agree, but I admit that I'm biased.

The testing was scarier than the insulin injections for me, too.

My next task is to get the SS going...and to learn what to do based on the readings. I have some understanding, but a little knowledge is a dangerous thing as they say. I've been reluctant to change anything in reaction to the readings so far because of insecurity (am I doing it right? was the blood sample big enough? just because I got a reading doesn't mean it's valid...) I'm driving myself a bit crazy I'd say...but I know that this part will get easier, too.

Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[Barbara & Uncle (GA)]

Livvy is a little love! I have to agree, but I admit that I'm biased.

The testing was scarier than the insulin injections for me, too.

My next task is to get the SS going...and to learn what to do based on the readings. I have some understanding, but a little knowledge is a dangerous thing as they say. I've been reluctant to change anything in reaction to the readings so far because of insecurity (am I doing it right? was the blood sample big enough? just because I got a reading doesn't mean it's valid...) I'm driving myself a bit crazy I'd say...but I know that this part will get easier, too.

Thanks for the encouragement!

Yes, it is a lot to take in at first. The best advice I can offer is to read and then re-read the stickys as you go along. They will start to make more sense to you because they will link up with your "on the ground" experiences.
Also remember, there are no dumb questions when it comes to FD. So ask away, hopefully people will be able to answer your questions and illuminate the whys and wherefores of their answers. I know I wouldn't have gotten this far without the wonderful, smart, generous people here.
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[Glennie]

Livvy is a little love! I have to agree, but I admit that I'm biased.

The testing was scarier than the insulin injections for me, too.

My next task is to get the SS going...and to learn what to do based on the readings. I have some understanding, but a little knowledge is a dangerous thing as they say. I've been reluctant to change anything in reaction to the readings so far because of insecurity (am I doing it right? was the blood sample big enough? just because I got a reading doesn't mean it's valid...) I'm driving myself a bit crazy I'd say...but I know that this part will get easier, too.

Thanks for the encouragement!

Learning what to do based upon the readings is what the people on here are best at. There are some number guidelines in the stickies and they're so helpful, but even then I ask people that are more versed in the patterns and numbers. Their expertise is amazing. As you go along, all of a sudden a sticky will come to mind, and it makes sense. And like Barbara says above, there are no dumb questions on here. And I should know since I've asked more than my fair share. I've always been met with patience, compassion and understanding. So ask away. I most likely won't be able to answer, but someone knowledgeable should be able to help with dosing and such.

 

[Livvy's Lady]

Yes, it is a lot to take in at first. The best advice I can offer is to read and then re-read the stickys as you go along. They will start to make more sense to you because they will link up with your "on the ground" experiences.
Also remember, there are no dumb questions when it comes to FD. So ask away, hopefully people will be able to answer your questions and illuminate the whys and wherefores of their answers. I know I wouldn't have gotten this far without the wonderful, smart, generous people here.
Log in or Sign up

This group has already been an invaluable resource! I'm sure that will be spending a tremendous amount of time on here. I set it in another post, I think, but we are finding it really difficult to communicate well with the vet-this is such a complex topic, and a brief appointment just doesn't cut it. That's one of the reasons were off to a specialist on Monday of next week. That, and Livvy's symptoms are so strange, what with the twirling and all.

 

[Livvy's Lady]

Learning what to do based upon the readings is what the people on here are best at. There are some number guidelines in the stickies and they're so helpful, but even then I ask people that are more versed in the patterns and numbers. Their expertise is amazing. As you go along, all of a sudden a sticky will come to mind, and it makes sense. And like Barbara says above, there are no dumb questions on here. And I should know since I've asked more than my fair share. I've always been met with patience, compassion and understanding. So ask away. I most likely won't be able to answer, but someone knowledgeable should be able to help with dosing and such.

Thanks so much! The next thing we're contending with trusting our glucometer. But, I think I better start another message thread on that topic, because it might help somebody else, too. So, more later tonight on what happened when the vet tested the same sample of blood with our glucometer and his.