? 09/07 Help with Managing Cher's BG Levels, please

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Jancol & Cher

Jancol & Cher

Member Since 2017
Hi Everyone

I previously posted this thread during the holiday weekend in America when the board was possibly slower so it has been suggested that I repost another introductory post for maximum exposure.

Just wondering if someone is able to help interpret Cher's SS and offer any suggestions as to how best manage her BG levels. Currently her care is being managed by her IM Specialist who has been treating her since February 2017.

Basic Medical History 2017:
Pancreatitis and Ureteral Stones (Subcutaneous Ureteral Bypass) 20 Feb
Pancreatic cyst
IBD diagnosed via Endoscopic biopsy 13 Jun
Prednisolone 5mg BID commenced 15 Jun to treat IBD
Diabetes diagnosed 22 Jun
Hills ZD Diet for IBD (high in carbs)

Diabetes managed by IM Specialist:
22 Jun - Commenced Lantus 1 unit daily - ceased Lantus 24 Jun - possibly in remission
26 Jun - Prednisolone reduced to 7.5mg daily
29 Jun - Lantus 1 unit BID restarted - increased to 2 units BID 30 June
14 Jul - Prednisolone reduced to 5mg daily
24 Jul - Lantus increased to 3 units BID
5 Aug - Lantus increased to 4 units BID
21 Aug - Prednisolone reduced to 2.5mg daily
30 Aug - Lantus reduced to 3 units BID

Our IM specialist prefers that BG levels be tested for curves only.
My preference is to test before shots and whenever necessary which of late, I have been doing.
I have just read today that when PS levels are low, the shot should not be withhold. Unfortunately I have withheld the shot on a couple of occasions when the levels were low, thinking this was the safest thing to do!

With the reduction of the Prednisolone, the BG levels appeared to be coming down, however when I gave Cher her AM shot on 29 Aug, the area around the shot bruised suddenly and then for the remainder of that day, the levels rose until the PM shot was given. Then the numbers fell dramatically at +3 PMPS, continuing to fall until they reached 61 (3.4). I decided not to shoot.

After this episode, I took Cher to the specialist centre but as our IM specialist is currently in Britain, his colleague examined her. She was uncertain about the bruising and did a ProCyte Haematology test which came back OK.

With regard to the rise in BG levels, it was suggested the Lantus may not have been working due possibly to the bruising.

It was decided by the vet that the Lantus should be reduced by 1 unit BID from 4 units to 3 units as the reduction in Pred appeared to be lowering the BG levels. I thought of only reducing the Lantus by .05 units but I felt that when I did the new curves on Monday and Tuesday and sent them through to the relieving vet, that she would not appreciate the fact that I had not done what she requested (which was a 1u reduction). So I did the 1u reduction.

We have also discussed with Cher's regular IM specialist, that the ZD food is very high in carbohydrates and that we would like to look at changing her food to perhaps 'Raw' or something lower in carbs but he does not support this. He feels that her IBD is more of a priority than the diabetes and she needs a hydrolyzed protein diet. I do agree in that if the IBD is aggravated by a diet change there will possibly be a major problem with vomiting and getting her to eat.

She was on Buprenorphine, Mirtzapene, Cerena and Ursodeoxycholic to try to manage the IBD. It was only when she commenced the Pred that the IBD finally seemed to be controlled.

I have since (just this week) discussed changing Cher's diet with the relieving vet when I emailed her Cher's curves. She said I could try to change her diet but said she would not fed Cher a raw meat diet. She was concerned that changing the diet may cause a flare up of her IBD.

Hoping that someone can help put Cher back on the right track as she has been struggling with bad health since February.

Thanks,
Jan
 
Hi Jan,
Good to see you again.:)
I am sorry your relieving vet did not think that a raw diet would be OK for Cher. A lot of vets don't like raw diets as they think they are "unsafe". A lot of us feed raw and have no problems.
I am going to tag @Wendy&Neko as she is experienced with an IBD kitty combined with FD and may be able to help with suggestions about the food and also the BSLs / dosing.
Is there a food (protein) that Cher has not had ...that she could try?
Are you still giving the shots in the bruised area or have you moved to a different spot. It is good to rotate the spot you shoot into to prevent thickening of the area.
Good on you for testing before shots and inbetween.....it gives a much clearer picture of what is going on, than curves every so often... and keeps Cher safe.
It is still early morning in the US and Canada so you might not get too many replies for a few hours.
If you go up to your subject line and on the left there are three options, including the ? Sign...click on the question mark and it will attract more eyes.
 
Hello and welcome

I think Cher is over dose.
When we see a lime green number it's a signal a dose reduction is in order. For starters I recommend reducing to 2.5u immediately. Continue to monitor.

Please read about the methods available to safely control your kittys BG- the TR Protocol and SLGS.

I don't have experience with IBD however others here do.

Glad you found us. It's the best place a diabetic kitty can be.

Hang in there and hang in here :cool:
 
Lots of people here have tried to manage fd their vet's way and when not getting the desired results have tweeked dosing based upon one of the protocols here and just not told their vet. I'm not suggesting you do that but just letting you know this happens a lot. I actually vetoed my vet's suggestion for different day and night doses when Max was dropping low at night. My vet at the end said I managed fd better than any of his clients! As for only testing for curves, it's going to be hard I think to get dosing advice here without a minimum of AMPS/PMPS and a couple other tests each cycle to catch the nadir. If I hadn't done those tests Max would have ended up on n the ER and my first post here stated I didn't intend to do home testing!

I'm sorry that Cher isn't feeling well. IBD does complicate things as did CKD and pancreatitis did for my Max. I'm sure you will get some suggestions on ways to help Cher here.
 
Bron and Sheba said:
Hi Jan,
Good to see you again.:)
I am sorry your relieving vet did not think that a raw diet would be OK for Cher. A lot of vets don't like raw diets as they think they are "unsafe". A lot of us feed raw and have no problems.
I am going to tag @Wendy&Neko as she is experienced with an IBD kitty combined with FD and may be able to help with suggestions about the food and also the BSLs / dosing.
Is there a food (protein) that Cher has not had ...that she could try?
Are you still giving the shots in the bruised area or have you moved to a different spot. It is good to rotate the spot you shoot into to prevent thickening of the area.
Good on you for testing before shots and inbetween.....it gives a much clearer picture of what is going on, than curves every so often... and keeps Cher safe.
It is still early morning in the US and Canada so you might not get too many replies for a few hours.
If you go up to your subject line and on the left there are three options, including the ? Sign...click on the question mark and it will attract more eyes.
Click to expand...
Hi Bron

Yes, the bruise has been gone now for a few days and tonight we have just started injecting into that area. At the time the bruise appeared, I couldn't really get a hold of the skin to make a tent as Cher was not positioned properly and I think I must have been pulling it up (the skin) too severely somehow and caused it to bruise. Not exactly sure what happened. Poor little thing, she didn't even protest!

We have been injecting into three areas alternating each time. We have shaved two areas which makes it much easier to see what you are doing and make sure the insulin goes in.

Wendy & Neko did respond to my initial post suggesting a novel protein diet and an orobiotic as well as a link to the ibd kitties website which I have looked at. Wendy has passed on a lot of good information.

In response to your food question, there are a number of proteins Cher has not had e.g. kangaroo, duck, rabbit, veison. I looked at the kangaroo steaks about which you spoke and I think I mentioned to you that previously we did feed one of our cats kangaroo meat. I would maybe try Cher on kangaroo steaks. Not sure why both vets don't like raw but it could possibly be as you said.

I'm off to bed now, Bron, it's been a long day again.

Thank you for your relevant input together with your help. I appreciate it!

Jan
 
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Hi Jan
I took both Sheba and our dog Jess to a very nice and competent IM specialist early this year when they both had terminal cancer. She obviously knew a lot about their terminal conditions and was very good.......but she asked me a lot about Sheba's diabetes and how I treated it etc and was particularly interested in the insulin Levemir I was using as she had not used it before and knew nothing about it. It was very apparent that I knew a lot more about FD than she did.

I also got what I now know was bad advice from another diabetic specialist early in our journey.

I think learning about something like diabetes as a student vet as opposed to treating it and living with it 24/7 and being totally responsible for your cat are two different things..... a good example of it is when a cat is diagnosed with FD ......most people are given the insulin and told to come back in one or two weeks for a BSL test and if the cat shows signs of a hypo, such as staggering, to give the cat honey. The problem with that is by the time the cat shows signs of a hypo such as staggering they are really really dangerously low. Sheba has dropped to 1.3 (23) and the only sign she had was sudden hunger......and we all know that by testing regularly those situations can be avoided/ managed.

You don't have to do what the IM specialist says if you feel Cher might do better on another food or a different dose of insulin. Cher is your cat and you are paying the IM vet for his advice. If you choose not to take that advice, that is up to you.
Please don't think I am not trying to tell you what to do....I am just wanting to give you some options you can think about.
A lot of us choose to do things that are suggested on the forum and either don't tell the vet or find another vet who is willing to work with us, because ultimately we are the ones who care for our kitties all day every day and are responsible for their care and well being.
Having a kitty with multiple issues is hard but there are many wonderful people here who can help you if that is what you would like :)
Bron
@Doodles & Karen would you be able to help at all with some suggestions for IBD......currently Cher is on a HC Z/D food.
 
Last edited:
Bron and Sheba said:
Hi Jan
I took both Sheba and our dog Jess to a very nice and competent IM specialist early this year when they both had terminal cancer. She obviously knew a lot about their terminal conditions and was very good.......but she asked me a lot about Sheba's diabetes and how I treated it etc and was particularly interested in the insulin Levemir I was using as she had not used it before and knew nothing about it. It was very apparent that I knew a lot more about FD than she did.

I also got what I now know was bad advice from another diabetic specialist early in our journey.

I think learning about something like diabetes as a student vet as opposed to treating it and living with it 24/7 and being totally responsible for your cat are two different things..... a good example of it is when a cat is diagnosed with FD ......most people are given the insulin and told to come back in one or two weeks for a BSL test and if the cat shows signs of a hypo, such as staggering, to give the cat honey. The problem with that is by the time the cat shows signs of a hypo such as staggering they are really really dangerously low. Sheba has dropped to 1.3 (23) and the only sign she had was sudden hunger......and we all know that by testing regularly those situations can be avoided/ managed.

You don't have to do what the IM specialist says if you feel Cher might do better on another food or a different dose of insulin. Cher is your cat and you are paying the IM vet for his advice. If you choose not to take that advice, that is up to you.
Please don't think I am not trying to tell you what to do....I am just wanting to give you some options you can think about.
A lot of us choose to do things that are suggested on the forum and either don't tell the vet or find another vet who is willing to work with us, because ultimately we are the ones who care for our kitties all day every day and are responsible for their care and well being.
Having a kitty with multiple issues is hard but there are many wonderful people here who can help you if that is what you would like :)
Bron
@Doodles & Karen would you be able to help at all with some suggestions for IBD......currently Cher is on a HC Z/D food.
Click to expand...
Hi Bron
Thank you for your post ... I did not see it until tonight.

I am very sorry to hear that you had both Sheba and Jess suffering with terminal cancer at the same time. I can only try to imagine how difficult and heart breaking that must have been for you.

I also understand what you are saying about your competent IM specialist and do agree with you. And, yes, I believe I do understand about the bad advice you received from your diabetic specialist. The scenario you describe when a cat is diagnosed with FD is actually what happened to us. We consider ourselves very lucky to still have Cher.

We are trying to get off the roundabout that we find ourselves on. We hate that Cher is ingesting a 35% carbohydrate diet and we feel we need to try and transition her to something more suitable to her needs.

I have been looking at various canned foods but it is challenging to find one to suit her. I wonder if we would be better off trying the kangaroo steaks that you suggested initially?

I checked out the Ziwipeak but it seems to be high in phosphorus which may not be good for Cher's kidney.

I will keep trawling through the list.

Thanks, Bron, for your help!
Jan
 
Thanks for your kinds words about Sheba and Jess. It was an awful time for us all.
I try and remember the good memories now.

Have you looked into the Weruva brand..cats in the kitchen .....available at Petbarn?
Sheba loved them and so does Harry, although they both had/have mainly raw.
Most of the canned ones Have acceptable phosphorus for kidney issues.
http://weruva.com/catsitk-cans-nutrition.php

Also I started a thread on home prepared diet for CRD cats which you might like to see.
There's lots of good information from several people in it.
I used to cook Sheba's chicken as the raw didn't agree with her but the rest was raw.
Harry eats raw everything with no issues.
Have you tried Slippery Elm Bark Powder for Cher.? I found it very good.
You can buy it from health food stores. Make sure you get the pure SEB with no additives.
It says how to make it in this thread too.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/home-prepared-diet-of-crd-cats.150441/

Here is some info on SEB. As it coats the alimentary tract, don't give within 2 hours of any meds.
https://draxe.com/slippery-elm-for-pets/

If/when you try a change of diet that is lower in carbs, Cher's BSLs could drop a lot so you will need to be testing them to keep her safe.....and you will more than likely have to decrease the dose of insulin.
 
Hi Jan and welcome to Lantus & Levemir Land, the nicest place you never wanted to be.

My kitty, Harvey, had intestinal lymphoma, which is basically treated the same way as IBD, with the addition of a chemo drug. Harvey would not eat the ZD that the vet recommended, so we tried novel proteins for him - kangaroo (hated it), pork, lamb, rabbit, duck, venison. He liked the duck and the venison. It is difficult to recommend a brand to you, as I know they are different in Australia than in the US. If your vet doesn't want you feeding raw, how about a homemade cooked diet? There are kits available that contain the supplements cats need, and you simply add them to the meat of your choice. Catinfo.org has a lot of great information about feline nutrition. She also has a commercial foods list, but again, it is US based, so not sure how helpful it would be for you.

Harvey became diabetic because of the Prednisolone he was put on to treat his intestinal lymphoma. Like Cher, he was started on a high dose of Pred, but once he became diabetic I convinced his IM to lower the dose and we settled on 2.5 mg bid, which seemed to keep his symptoms in check and allowed me to get his diabetes regulated and insulin dose reduced significantly. It's really a balancing act when you are dealing with multiple conditions, but as many here have found, it is possible.

If your vet and/or IM is the type that is open to learning, you might print out a copy of the 2008 Roomp/Rand paper on Tight Regulation to share with them. Many vets appreciate professional documentation. It might make them more amenable to your following the dosing guidance we give here.

If you are concerned about kidney disease, a great site to be familiar with is Tanya's, aka Felinecrf.org.
 
Gill & George said:
Hi Jan,
Could you clarify one of the bg's, on September 6 in the pm cycle you have her as reading 24 (lime green) at pm +6:eek: in the us numbers. But she's 15.7(yellow) in the world numbers:confused: which one is it?

Also did you skip or shoot last night? Nothing in the units column for pm shot.

Thanks

Here's a link to your previous post on the forum, http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...chers-ss-readings-please.183549/watch-confirm
Click to expand...
Hi Gill
Apologies for the confusing numbers ... the +4 reading in the pm cycle was 434 (24.1) Red. I must have entered the world number instead of the US number. Thank you for picking up on that.
I did give the pm shot. I will have to concentrate more when entering data!
Thank you for your help.
Jan
 
Gill & George said:
Hi Jan,
Could you clarify one of the bg's, on September 6 in the pm cycle you have her as reading 24 (lime green) at pm +6:eek: in the us numbers. But she's 15.7(yellow) in the world numbers:confused: which one is it?

Also did you skip or shoot last night? Nothing in the units column for pm shot.

Thanks

Here's a link to your previous post on the forum, http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...chers-ss-readings-please.183549/watch-confirm
Click to expand...
Hi again, Gill
Please excuse my ignorance but I am not sure what to do with the link to my previous post ... the 'click' button says 'unwatch' .. ?

I think I'm with you now .. it takes me back to your earlier post .. I am not good with technology nor am I familiar with this site at this stage .. I will have to liven up!
 
Last edited:
Bron and Sheba said:
Thanks for your kinds words about Sheba and Jess. It was an awful time for us all.
I try and remember the good memories now.

Have you looked into the Weruva brand..cats in the kitchen .....available at Petbarn?
Sheba loved them and so does Harry, although they both had/have mainly raw.
Most of the canned ones Have acceptable phosphorus for kidney issues.
http://weruva.com/catsitk-cans-nutrition.php

Also I started a thread on home prepared diet for CRD cats which you might like to see.
There's lots of good information from several people in it.
I used to cook Sheba's chicken as the raw didn't agree with her but the rest was raw.
Harry eats raw everything with no issues.
Have you tried Slippery Elm Bark Powder for Cher.? I found it very good.
You can buy it from health food stores. Make sure you get the pure SEB with no additives.
It says how to make it in this thread too.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/home-prepared-diet-of-crd-cats.150441/

Here is some info on SEB. As it coats the alimentary tract, don't give within 2 hours of any meds.
https://draxe.com/slippery-elm-for-pets/

If/when you try a change of diet that is lower in carbs, Cher's BSLs could drop a lot so you will need to be testing them to keep her safe.....and you will more than likely have to decrease the dose of insulin.
Click to expand...
Thank you for this wealth of information, Bron. I will follow your suggestions and look into the information you have kindly provided.

Cher is not having a good day ... not eating and very lethargic. She wasn't eating much yesterday either. Not sure what is causing the problem.

I will be offline later as it is my daughter's b'day and I will be spending time with her.

Jan
 
Jancol said:
Cher is not having a good day ... not eating and very lethargic. She wasn't eating much yesterday either. Not sure what is causing the problem.
Jan
Click to expand...

Have you tested for ketones in the urine? If you don't have any to test with.....you can buy the Ketostix at the chemist for about $10..... kept where the diabetic stuff is..
It is always a good idea to test for ketones regularly with unregulated diabetic cats as ketones in the urine can lead to a much more serious condition.....ketoacidosis.

ETA. Could she have the beginnings of pancreatitis?
 
Last edited:
Jancol said:
Hi again, Gill
Please excuse my ignorance but I am not sure what to do with the link to my previous post ... the 'click' button says 'unwatch' .. ?

I think I'm with you now .. it takes me back to your earlier post .. I am not good with technology nor am I familiar with this site at this stage .. I will have to liven up!
Click to expand...

Hey Jan - so good to see you here! Let me know if you'd like me to send you some of those 1/2 unit syringes, okay? I'm happy to post them out to you on Monday. It can take two or more weeks to get them from the UK once you order them.

Also, I have some of the Cats in the Kitchen that both of my (very unappreciative cats!) have decided is not to their liking. I am more than happy to send you a can each of the low carb, low phosphorous food that is currently acting as a bookend at the moment. Just say the word - it will make my day to help you out here. :-) :bighug:

Also, if you like, give me a ring and I'll step you through the SS and the technology stuff on FDMB - easier to describe over the phone than via text here.
 
Jancol said:
Thank you for this wealth of information, Bron. I will follow your suggestions and look into the information you have kindly provided.

Cher is not having a good day ... not eating and very lethargic. She wasn't eating much yesterday either. Not sure what is causing the problem.

I will be offline later as it is my daughter's b'day and I will be spending time with her.

Jan
Click to expand...
I know that Girlie's constipation made her feel really icky, and she isn't very interested in food if she hasn't poo'd properly for a few days. I wonder if Cher's constipation might be part of her not feeling so well right now?

I think it's wonderful that you are going to spend time with your daughter on her birthday. Good for you to take that time out for yourself, I think! :-)
 
If Cher is constipated, that could indeed make her not want to eat and drive her numbers up. Are you giving her anything for the problem, Jan?

Here is a post we put together to help new members get acclimated to our Board. I hope it helps you. Keep asking questions!
 
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey said:
Hi Jan and welcome to Lantus & Levemir Land, the nicest place you never wanted to be.

My kitty, Harvey, had intestinal lymphoma, which is basically treated the same way as IBD, with the addition of a chemo drug. Harvey would not eat the ZD that the vet recommended, so we tried novel proteins for him - kangaroo (hated it), pork, lamb, rabbit, duck, venison. He liked the duck and the venison. It is difficult to recommend a brand to you, as I know they are different in Australia than in the US. If your vet doesn't want you feeding raw, how about a homemade cooked diet? There are kits available that contain the supplements cats need, and you simply add them to the meat of your choice. Catinfo.org has a lot of great information about feline nutrition. She also has a commercial foods list, but again, it is US based, so not sure how helpful it would be for you.

Harvey became diabetic because of the Prednisolone he was put on to treat his intestinal lymphoma. Like Cher, he was started on a high dose of Pred, but once he became diabetic I convinced his IM to lower the dose and we settled on 2.5 mg bid, which seemed to keep his symptoms in check and allowed me to get his diabetes regulated and insulin dose reduced significantly. It's really a balancing act when you are dealing with multiple conditions, but as many here have found, it is possible.

If your vet and/or IM is the type that is open to learning, you might print out a copy of the 2008 Roomp/Rand paper on Tight Regulation to share with them. Many vets appreciate professional documentation. It might make them more amenable to your following the dosing guidance we give here.

If you are concerned about kidney disease, a great site to be familiar with is Tanya's, aka Felinecrf.org.
Click to expand...
Thank you, Tricia, for putting together all of this information. I will look at it thoroughly this evening when I have the time to devote to it. I won't have a chance to look at it until then. Very much appreciated! Thanks, again
Jan
 
Jancol said:
Thank you, Tricia, for putting together all of this information. I will look at it thoroughly this evening when I have the time to devote to it. I won't have a chance to look at it until then. Very much appreciated! Thanks, again
Jan
Click to expand...
You're welcome, Jan. We were all new and worried once. We know how overwhelming it all is. We'll help in any way we can!
 
Girlie's mom said:
I know that Girlie's constipation made her feel really icky, and she isn't very interested in food if she hasn't poo'd properly for a few days. I wonder if Cher's constipation might be part of her not feeling so well right now?

I think it's wonderful that you are going to spend time with your daughter on her birthday. Good for you to take that time out for yourself, I think! :)
Click to expand...
Yes, Cher does seem to go off her food a bit when she has trouble poo-ing. I wasn't really thinking about the poo, I thought it might be the IBD or the pancreatitis.

I started the anti nausea tabs again on Thursday and she was able to be coerced into eating yesterday but today it is more difficult. Could be the poo as she doesn't seem to be licking and biting at her legs which she usually does when she has gut pain.

Will look at what I can give her that might help. She usually just eats grass.
 
@Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey
Thanks for adding your info about the IBD. I was trying to think last night who I could tag who had had an IBD kitty
and I could only think of Karen.
We can't get the kits of supplements unfortunately to add to a home prepared diet out here in Oz. I just bought the supplements separately and added them. All that info is on the link I gave Jan about home prepared diet for CRD cats.
 
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey said:
If Cher is constipated, that could indeed make her not want to eat and drive her numbers up. Are you giving her anything for the problem, Jan?

Here is a post we put together to help new members get acclimated to our Board. I hope it helps you. Keep asking questions!
Click to expand...

I've come to the conclusion that most of us here on FDMB are obsessed with poo - I know I am. :-) Cher is having trouble with poo, isn't she, Jan? It sounded like she wasn't going very often and that they were small and round and quite firm. This reminds me so much of Girlie's battles with this very thing...
 
Bron and Sheba said:
Have you tested for ketones in the urine? If you don't have any to test with.....you can buy the Ketostix at the chemist for about $10..... kept where the diabetic stuff is..
It is always a good idea to test for ketones regularly with unregulated diabetic cats as ketones in the urine can lead to a much more serious condition.....ketoacidosis.

ETA. Could she have the beginnings of pancreatitis?
Click to expand...
Yes, we test daily for ketones with Ketostix and Multistix. Have always been negative except for once very early in the FD when it came up as a trace.
 
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey said:
You're welcome, Jan. We were all new and worried once. We know how overwhelming it all is. We'll help in any way we can!
Click to expand...
Wow, love that post, Tricia - how have I missed that one?

I might just add one thing that happened to me: have a backup meter (if you can) and have backup batteries for the meter. My meter's battery died suddenly right when it was most inconvenient... I was able to run out and get fresh batteries as the shops were still open, but I now have backup batteries, a backup meter, and tons of test strips always at the ready. It's clearly been too long since I was a Girl Scout...but I've learned, again, to always be prepared... :D
 
Girlie's mom said:
I might just add one thing that happened to me: have a backup meter (if you can) and have backup batteries for the meter.
Click to expand...
Excellent suggestion!!! Many of us have done so, some because of a similar experience and some because we learned from others. I never let my strip supply drop below 100. Usually I had 3-400 on hand (call me a worry-wart).

Girlie's mom said:
Wow, love that post, Tricia - how have I missed that one?
Click to expand...
Don't know! I try to give it to every new member early on, but I might have missed you. Or you were too overwhelmed with everything else at the time to catch it.
 
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey said:
Excellent suggestion!!! Many of us have done so, some because of a similar experience and some because we learned from others. I never let my strip supply drop below 100. Usually I had 3-400 on hand (call me a worry-wart).


Don't know! I try to give it to every new member early on, but I might have missed you. Or you were too overwhelmed with everything else at the time to catch it.
Click to expand...
The AlphaTRAK 2 strips are ridiculously expensive here in Australia - $82 for a vial of 50. When I call to order them, the store calls it my "your cat just booked another holiday to Bali" order as I get 5 or 6 vials at a time. I ran out once at about 5 am after I ruined my last vial by spilling the strips on a damp cloth - I will never do that again, that's for sure! I like having a lot on hand now, just in case. And Girlie can go to Bali for virtual holidays as often as she likes...although I'm doing a side-by-side comparison now with the Freestyle Lite test strips to try to get confident using those as they're a little easier on the bank account.

I'm sure I was too overwhelmed! I'm still overwhelmed! I love the info in the post, though, so it's good to have it now. :-)
 
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