Feeling like i'm failing

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WendyG

WendyG

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So yesterday I took a long lunch and went home to get a BG on Tyson. I have been contemplating getting an automated feeder that would allow him to have food 4 times a day, instead of just every 12 hours. So while at home (his BG was 311) i gave him some FF classic and retested about 10 minutes into his feed. It dropped to 282. I went back to work. When I got home I tested and he was at 526. I felt terrible. It went down after his meal and shot. This morning I took his BG 3 times and it was HI, the meter wouldn't give a number, it was over 600 according to the manual, too high to read. I upped his dose by .25. I really feel like I ruined any progress I was making. Any help would be appreciated at this point.
 
Don't beat yourself up. Our first sugar cat came right out of a textbook but Noah is a high-dose unregulated bouncer. My meter also reads HI but it's just a tool, not a judgement. Keep posting, keep your spreadsheet up to date, be patient.
 
re meters. It's a good thing I never had a talking meter for the visually impaired. "Your cat is now deceased". Nigel once dipped below 4/72 so I called the vet in a panic. What was he doing? Prancing around with his tail in the air, jumped up on the kitchen table, clear eyed and ready for more attention. And this was the same cat that loved car rides so he could show off at the vet. "Hey everyone, look at me!"
Meters are allowed by the FDA to be off by obscene amounts. You know your cat better than any inanimate object, it's just a tool. But use it wisely and look for consistency.
Hi Tyson :)
 
It looks like you've just recently switched to all wet food - what are you feeding now? Also, does the dog have food left out at all? Our kitties are wily little thieves when it comes to sneaking dog food when no one is looking!

I think the dose increase this morning was a good idea, and you can monitor the impact tonight or tomorrow to see how that's going.

And as Noah and Teenuh said, you aren't failing. This is difficult, especially at first. Please post as much and as often as you'd like with questions, ask for advice, or just vent about how you're feeling about all of this. We have all been where you are now and we're here to help!
 
Oh man, I remember seeing HI so much that I had a different color format assigned to it. Black with bold red text.
If you look at Chuck's 2016/2017 tab on his SS and go to the very top. You'll see what I mean.
Don't beat yourself up. I used to then the cat would pick up on it and hide from me. "Mom's in crazy mode! Get under the hutch, Fast!"
I also had to figure out when the best time was for Chuck's snacks. On ProZinc, he could NOT have good after +6. He would race back up to Black numbers. Even now on lantus, I had to play with snack times and amounts to find what he could have before shooting up to the moon.
I feed 2 big meals with 3 small (about half an ounce pate plus an ice cube) between those two meals. Any more than half an ounce and Chuck's number go up or it ends the action of the insulin.
So, you'll figure it out in time.
 
Djamila said:
It looks like you've just recently switched to all wet food - what are you feeding now? Also, does the dog have food left out at all? Our kitties are wily little thieves when it comes to sneaking dog food when no one is looking!

I think the dose increase this morning was a good idea, and you can monitor the impact tonight or tomorrow to see how that's going.

And as Noah and Teenuh said, you aren't failing. This is difficult, especially at first. Please post as much and as often as you'd like with questions, ask for advice, or just vent about how you're feeling about all of this. We have all been where you are now and we're here to help!
Click to expand...

Yes, a couple days after diagnosis, I switched to all wet. My vet wanted him on prescription dry, and I didn't see the point. I had compared ingredients in the dry she prescribed to the dry I had him on for his entire life, and the only difference I saw was the prescription 1st ingredient was byproduct, vs mine was real meat. Made me scratch my head and want more information. Which is what brought me here to this sight actually.

I currently am feeding either Friskies Pates or Fancy Feast Classics. Both my babies (dog and cat) used to be free fed, now they both get fed at 6:30 am and pm. If the dog doesn't eat her food, I pick it up and pour it back into the tub, and she'll have to wait until the next meal time. She's pretty confused by this new arrangement, but she's a chill girl and could stand to lose a few pounds. I do leave her every day with a giant milk bone, which she guards with her life. I don't think Tyson would be able to get a nibble if he tried, but you never know, he's been pretty ravenous lately lol. The dogs kibble is kept in a big bin, and I have heard Tyson try to smack the lid open, unsuccessfully. If he got it open, he'd have to dumpster dive into it to get the kibble. To be safe I will move the bin to the garage, but I really don't think he's been able to get into it.

I guess I just freaked out a bit. I've never seen a number so high on him. Being a former diabetic myself, i really feel for the poor guy, but he really doesn't act like he's feeling bad anymore. He fur on his next has started growing back, and he's more playful and calm. His litter habits are so much nicer than they were, I really saw remarkable change practically over night, even though his numbers never got under 200 routinely. I was afraid I'd ruined it all in 1 day lol. mini -panic over!
 
StephG said:
Oh man, I remember seeing HI so much that I had a different color format assigned to it. Black with bold red text.
If you look at Chuck's 2016/2017 tab on his SS and go to the very top. You'll see what I mean.
Don't beat yourself up. I used to then the cat would pick up on it and hide from me. "Mom's in crazy mode! Get under the hutch, Fast!"
I also had to figure out when the best time was for Chuck's snacks. On ProZinc, he could NOT have good after +6. He would race back up to Black numbers. Even now on lantus, I had to play with snack times and amounts to find what he could have before shooting up to the moon.
I feed 2 big meals with 3 small (about half an ounce pate plus an ice cube) between those two meals. Any more than half an ounce and Chuck's number go up or it ends the action of the insulin.
So, you'll figure it out in time.
Click to expand...


Thanks Steph, I did check out Chucks SS. Wow, crazy numbers back then. What made you switch to the Lantus? My vet put Tyson right on the Prozinc. I have no idea why. My sisters cat is on the Lantus and she wants to know why my cat is on the Prozinc. I couldn't tell her of course. Just what the doc prescribed. I feel its more expensive in the long run, cheaper up front. I had financial concerns and feel that may be why she started me on the Prozinc, but doing the math I think i'm going to get the short end financially if this turns long term, which seems like for most it does.

I really would like to do the smaller snacks during the day to keep a steady blood sugar going, I think that was what I was testing out yesterday, which backfired on me. From my experience with diabetes years ago, that was important. However, I am afraid with me working outside the home, that my dog would eat the food each time the timer went off LOL.

Thanks for the support, it really helps having people out there who have been through this. My sister thinks I'm nuts. She thinks I should just do what the vet says.
 
WendyG said:
Thanks Steph, I did check out Chucks SS. Wow, crazy numbers back then. What made you switch to the Lantus? My vet put Tyson right on the Prozinc. I have no idea why. My sisters cat is on the Lantus and she wants to know why my cat is on the Prozinc. I couldn't tell her of course. Just what the doc prescribed. I feel its more expensive in the long run, cheaper up front. I had financial concerns and feel that may be why she started me on the Prozinc, but doing the math I think i'm going to get the short end financially if this turns long term, which seems like for most it does.

I really would like to do the smaller snacks during the day to keep a steady blood sugar going, I think that was what I was testing out yesterday, which backfired on me. From my experience with diabetes years ago, that was important. However, I am afraid with me working outside the home, that my dog would eat the food each time the timer went off LOL.

Thanks for the support, it really helps having people out there who have been through this. My sister thinks I'm nuts. She thinks I should just do what the vet says.
Click to expand...
Many people "out there" would think what we do here on FDMB is nuts but we do it because it works. ;):)
 
Djamila said:
It looks like you've just recently switched to all wet food - what are you feeding now? Also, does the dog have food left out at all? Our kitties are wily little thieves when it comes to sneaking dog food when no one is looking!

I think the dose increase this morning was a good idea, and you can monitor the impact tonight or tomorrow to see how that's going.

And as Noah and Teenuh said, you aren't failing. This is difficult, especially at first. Please post as much and as often as you'd like with questions, ask for advice, or just vent about how you're feeling about all of this. We have all been where you are now and we're here to help!
Click to expand...

Djamila, I forgot to ask, since I upped the morning dose to 1.75, should I keep the evening dose at 1.75 or back it down to 1.50?
 
My old vet started us on ProZinc because that's what they use. It seems cheaper up front but per unit, lantus is cheaper if ordered from Mark's in Canada.
We switched because he wasn't getting long enough control on prozinc and he was up over 8 units. It was way too expensive at that dose.
We are around the same cost now but I have a friend that gets me vials cheap so it doesn't cost so much now.
 
StephG said:
My old vet started us on ProZinc because that's what they use. It seems cheaper up front but per unit, lantus is cheaper if ordered from Mark's in Canada.
We switched because he wasn't getting long enough control on prozinc and he was up over 8 units. It was way too expensive at that dose.
We are around the same cost now but I have a friend that gets me vials cheap so it doesn't cost so much now.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
Hi Wendy! I've been at work all day, so just getting a chance to see this. First off, you definitely ARE NOT FAILING! You're taking care of Tyson, doing everything you can for him. So many other people just put their kitty to sleep upon diagnosis and you didn't do that. Plus, you're here, you're looking for advice. That is definitely the opposite of failing. :)

Yes, I'd keep the dose at 1.75 tonight. You want to be fairly consistent...it was a good time for a dose increase and since it's the weekend, I'm guessing you can monitor and see what it does for him?

This is a TOUGH disease to deal with. Remember that your kitty is more than just a number...if he FEELs better, that's a big thing. Yes, you want to get those numbers down, but it takes time. This is a marathon, not a sprint. We've all been there, and we totally get how you feel.

Please do feel free to keep posting here. We'd love to help you help Tyson, and sometimes it's nice to just have a place to come vent to! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Rachel said:
Hi Wendy! I've been at work all day, so just getting a chance to see this. First off, you definitely ARE NOT FAILING! You're taking care of Tyson, doing everything you can for him. So many other people just put their kitty to sleep upon diagnosis and you didn't do that. Plus, you're here, you're looking for advice. That is definitely the opposite of failing. :)

Yes, I'd keep the dose at 1.75 tonight. You want to be fairly consistent...it was a good time for a dose increase and since it's the weekend, I'm guessing you can monitor and see what it does for him?

This is a TOUGH disease to deal with. Remember that your kitty is more than just a number...if he FEELs better, that's a big thing. Yes, you want to get those numbers down, but it takes time. This is a marathon, not a sprint. We've all been there, and we totally get how you feel.

Please do feel free to keep posting here. We'd love to help you help Tyson, and sometimes it's nice to just have a place to come vent to! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
Click to expand...


Thanks Rachel. Yes I’m home for the weekend and can monitor him more. I did keep the dose upped last night and will see how he does and adjust accordingly. Ty! It really does help too see him feeling better. I have to remember not to panic. I’m so grateful for this support system. Ty for chiming in!
 
That panic is easy to give in to sometimes! Here's a little something that might give you a smile: Dear Mom. It was written by someone a long time before I arrived here, but it's helped me a few times...and given me something to smile about!

Aw Djamila, we can all use that reminder sometimes!
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Many people would think what we do here on FDMB is nuts
Click to expand...
Are these the same people who won't wear seat belts, think their kids have an IQ of 300 and think artificial intelligence is a real thing? We have compassion, they have a fridge connected to the internet. Is it just me or does something smell bad outside my house? :(
Failing is not making the slightest attempt to care.
 
@Rachel Oh thank you so much! When we brought Nigel home my wife snuck into work and printed 100's of pages of advice, instructions, food guides. We collated until our fingers bled and wore out a handful of highliters.
Dear Mom was the one thing that kept us sane. "Oh my Gawd, is he dead? Should we weigh his poo? Does he look happy? Is that cloud shaped like a bunny? How can you call 911 when there's no eleven on the phone?"
No! I'm sleeping and if you don't buzz off I'm going to take a dump on your pillow.
You can see here what miserable failures we were.
nigel003.JPG
 
Rachel said:
That panic is easy to give in to sometimes! Here's a little something that might give you a smile: Dear Mom. It was written by someone a long time before I arrived here, but it's helped me a few times...and given me something to smile about!

Aw Djamila, we can all use that reminder sometimes!
Click to expand...

This was just what I needed, thanks for the read! I’ve exhaled!
 
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