? "Guidelines" on switching insulins??

[Amanda and a Loudogg]

Good morning all!
My buddy Lou and I have been playing this diabetes game for almost 9 months now. As many of you know, he was easy to regulate off the bounce, and nearly went into remission less than 2 months after diagnosis. Unfortunately, it didn't stick, and he's been impossible to regulate ever since. I finally found a dosing scale (we're currently on Vetsulin) that seemed to bring him the closest to regulation, and it was awesome, haha. And then as diabetics are wont to do, he had a random low green PMPS, and my carefully crafted dosing scale has gone out the window. He seems a bit more sensitive to the insulin, but lower doses don't always bring desired results when testing. Ugh!

Anywhooo!!! I wanted to give you a quick background on Lou's progress or lack thereof. I've thought a lot about the pros and cons of switching insulins. Ultimately I wanted to see what, if any, guidelines there are for this. I am the one who handles Lou's BG testing and insulin shots. I do occasionally work doubles (12-13 hour days), so I've thought depot insulins may not be the best bet for us. Who knows?

Are there official guidelines for switching insulins? Or is it just whenever you think a change would do your kitty good you bring it up to your vet? I had brought it up to my vet in October, but she kind of gave me a shrugged "whatever you want to do" kind of response.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Good morning all!
My buddy Lou and I have been playing this diabetes game for almost 9 months now. As many of you know, he was easy to regulate off the bounce, and nearly went into remission less than 2 months after diagnosis. Unfortunately, it didn't stick, and he's been impossible to regulate ever since. I finally found a dosing scale (we're currently on Vetsulin) that seemed to bring him the closest to regulation, and it was awesome, haha. And then as diabetics are wont to do, he had a random low green PMPS, and my carefully crafted dosing scale has gone out the window. He seems a bit more sensitive to the insulin, but lower doses don't always bring desired results when testing. Ugh!

Anywhooo!!! I wanted to give you a quick background on Lou's progress or lack thereof. I've thought a lot about the pros and cons of switching insulins. Ultimately I wanted to see what, if any, guidelines there are for this. I am the one who handles Lou's BG testing and insulin shots. I do occasionally work doubles (12-13 hour days), so I've thought depot insulins may not be the best bet for us. Who knows?

Are there official guidelines for switching insulins? Or is it just whenever you think a change would do your kitty good you bring it up to your vet? I had brought it up to my vet in October, but she kind of gave me a shrugged "whatever you want to do" kind of response.

Thanks in advance!!

Hi Amanda,
I suggest you post this on the Lantus forum. Lots of expertise over there and they've helped many make a switch or at least think about the issues involved. It might flatten him out but you're correct in that the dose schedule has less flexibility.

 

[FurBabiesMama]

Hi. I have not personally seen any 'guidelines' on it. I think it is usually that the insulin you are using is not working well, so you and/or the vet decide to try another. The longer-lasting insulins are supposed to be better (though Vetsulin works great for some). If you need a little bit of flexibility in the dosing schedule, you may want to consider ProZinc. There is up to an hour of 'play' in the dosing schedule. From what I have read (no personal experience with them), the depot insulins require a more strict dosing schedule.

I brought up the topic of changing with our vet, and he said that I could change if I wanted, but that he did not think it was necessary. He does not think we would see much difference in results. I did not push the issue because I am a bit hesitant to move to a depot insulin and have to start over in my learning, and some of the potential issues I have read about worry me. I always reserve the right to change my mind though, should it get to a point where I think that is what we need to do.

 

[Amanda and a Loudogg]

Hi Amanda,
I suggest you post this on the Lantus forum. Lots of expertise over there and they've helped many make a switch or at least think about the issues involved. It might flatten him out but you're correct in that the dose schedule has less flexibility.

Hiya Kris! That's not a bad idea actually. I think I'll do that!

Hi. I have not personally seen any 'guidelines' on it. I think it is usually that the insulin you are using is not working well, so you and/or the vet decide to try another. The longer-lasting insulins are supposed to be better (though Vetsulin works great for some). If you need a little bit of flexibility in the dosing schedule, you may want to consider ProZinc. There is up to an hour of 'play' in the dosing schedule. From what I have read (no personal experience with them), the depot insulins require a more strict dosing schedule.

I brought up the topic of changing with our vet, and he said that I could change if I wanted, but that he did not think it was necessary. He does not think we would see much difference in results. I did not push the issue because I am a bit hesitant to move to a depot insulin and have to start over in my learning, and some of the potential issues I have read about worry me. I always reserve the right to change my mind though, should it get to a point where I think that is what we need to do.

That's kind of what I've been thinking. Since we have had some amazing results with Vetsulin and it allows me to be (at times) hours late with dosing, I've been hesitant to change. The problem comes when I look at my spreadsheet and see an awful lot of pink, and I worry about the long-term effects. He metabolizes the Vetsulin slower, so our nadirs are later. Nothing else has changed or is obviously wrong with him, but I figure it's good to keep our options open just in case.