Testing Times

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Susan & Claudio

Susan & Claudio

Member Since 2019
Other than AMPS & PMPS, are there other times that should be done when doing spot checks ? Or is random spot tests at anytime okay ? Like, should I always do a + 2 and/or a + 6 ( just as an example) along with the regular AMPS & PMPS ? Hope I'm making sense.
 
I use ProZinc, so it might be different for Lantus. And it also depends on your schedule. I did a +5 and a +7 most days, just to keep an eye out. Most nights, we just did a +6, though getting a +5 and a +7 is great when you can.
 
if you don’t mind (let me know if you’d rather I didn’t, ok n I won’t ;)) I’d like to tag a few peeps, ask if they’d look at Claudio SS and “Information.” These selfless ones each have valuable wisdom which I believe you’d appreciate :bighug:.
I’ll wait for your reply.
PS. I took it upon myself one time with another member who had an other issue. Oops, not the right decision. We were friends? she got soooo mad that I was “talking about her” that she completely avoids me now, won’t acknowledge me. I was only trying to help :eek::oops:
 
If you think of your spreadsheet like it's a puzzle it will help. Getting tests sprinkled around all over makes it easier to know what the whole picture is. If you just get tests at the same times, it's like filling in the edges with a stripe down the middle.

One day get a +3, +6, +9 and another day get a +2, +5, +8......just look at your spreadsheet and if you see any big white spaces, that's a good opportunity to get a test!

As you learn more about how your cat reacts, you'll learn when the most important times to test (for you) are!

All that being said, I always liked to get a +2 because it acted almost like a crystal ball in predicting what the rest of the cycle was going to be like. (in some cats, the +3 is a better predicter)

If the +2 was about the same as the PS, it was usually going to be a pretty normal cycle....gradually down to nadir and gradually back up again.

If the +2 was higher than the PS, it was usually the beginning of a bounce and those cycles I could take a break in testing.

If the +2 was lower than the PS, that was my "early warning" that I needed to make sure to get more tests in because China could drop a lot lower later on
 
Krystina & Nelli said:
if you don’t mind (let me know if you’d rather I didn’t, ok n I won’t ;)) I’d like to tag a few peeps, ask if they’d look at Claudio SS and “Information.” These selfless ones each have valuable wisdom which I believe you’d appreciate :bighug:.
I’ll wait for your reply.
PS. I took it upon myself one time with another member who had an other issue. Oops, not the right decision. We were friends? she got soooo mad that I was “talking about her” that she completely avoids me now, won’t acknowledge me. I was only trying to help :eek::oops:
Click to expand...
:(:bighug:you tried.
 
Chris & China (GA) said:
If you think of your spreadsheet like it's a puzzle it will help. Getting tests sprinkled around all over makes it easier to know what the whole picture is. If you just get tests at the same times, it's like filling in the edges with a stripe down the middle.

One day get a +3, +6, +9 and another day get a +2, +5, +8......just look at your spreadsheet and if you see any big white spaces, that's a good opportunity to get a test!

As you learn more about how your cat reacts, you'll learn when the most important times to test (for you) are!

All that being said, I always liked to get a +2 because it acted almost like a crystal ball in predicting what the rest of the cycle was going to be like. (in some cats, the +3 is a better predicter)

If the +2 was about the same as the PS, it was usually going to be a pretty normal cycle....gradually down to nadir and gradually back up again.

If the +2 was higher than the PS, it was usually the beginning of a bounce and those cycles I could take a break in testing.

If the +2 was lower than the PS, that was my "early warning" that I needed to make sure to get more tests in because China could drop a lot lower later on
Click to expand...
@Susan & Claudio,
My real concern when looking at your SS are the nt’s (no time, right?) you occasionally have at AMPS and PMPS regarding test before shots.
My understanding has always been never shoot without getting a test-
I certainly may be missing something here, if I am @Chris & China (GA) then I’ll have learned :)
 
Susan has had major "issues/problems/difficulties" shall we say in gaining cooperation from Claudio with the BG testing.
That is why the NT or no-tests appear on the SS.
You should have seen the picture she had with her bloodied face, after attempting a test during those first few weeks.

Susan, are you posting over in the lantus forum and not getting any feedback?
 
Try blocking off access to underneath your bed. I taped very stiff cardboard around all 4 sides of my bed. Used painters tape so the wood would not be ruined.

Moved as much heavy "stuff" or solid stuff under my bed as possible. Plastic storage containers with seasonal clothing. Lots of books. A few short wooden boxes. So my cat could not push against the cardboard and hide underneath.

Blocked other avenues of access with heavy boxes in front of the card board. Left one area on one side with only the taped on cardboard, so I could still get in and out of bed ok.

If you need to put something where you get in and out of bed, you can do "steps" with short heavy boxes or books or something. Step on top of the firm surface to get yourself in and out. Did those type of "firmer" surface areas after recovering from surgery, when the bed was now "way too high" off the floor.

The one time I regretted getting rid of my platform bed, was when cats that needed medications would hide under there. "Are you listening Wink?"
Nice that I lived alone.
 
Deb & Wink
Susan, are you posting over in the lantus forum and not getting any feedback?

Yes I have posted. What I would appreciate is if someone could look at the numbers and recommend if I should increase the dose, decrease the dose, or stay the course. I realize there are kitties with dangerous bgs and other problems that are more important and time sensitive.

I upped his dose on Friday to 2U.
I'd like to try TR. But at times I can't comprehend the information. I'd like someone to explain it in plain English. Don't get old. Your reading comprehension diminishes.
But once I understand it, I'll remember it until I die.

Deb & Wink
Try blocking off access to underneath your bed.

Great Idea !! Thanks, I'll give it a try.
 
Deb & Wink said:
Susan has had major "issues/problems/difficulties" shall we say in gaining cooperation from Claudio with the BG testing.
That is why the NT or no-tests appear on the SS.
You should have seen the picture she had with her bloodied face, after attempting a test during those first few weeks.

Susan, are you posting over in the lantus forum and not getting any feedback?
Click to expand...
:woot: bloodied face :woot:
So, it is ok to shoot without testing first no matter the why?
That’s where I was concerned, no test before shot-
Please forgive my confusion :). I need a straight yah or nah on this one, I think it’s rather important and a valid question :eek:. Will someone please help me out?
Thanks :bighug: :bighug: :bighug:
Deb & Wink said:
Susan has had major "issues/problems/difficulties" shall we say in gaining cooperation from Claudio with the BG testing.
That is why the NT or no-tests appear on the SS.
You should have seen the picture she had with her bloodied face, after attempting a test during those first few weeks.

Susan, are you posting over in the lantus forum and not getting any feedback?
Click to expand...
@Deb & Wink ok. So to be clear... ok to shoot without testing BG first?
Thanks :)
 
@Susan & Claudio I have offered some thoughts on your post in the Lantus, Basalgar Levemir forum. Part of the dilemma in offering advice is with regard to whether you are following TR or SLGS. I hope I have summarized some of the aspects, please ask questions if you'd like. Second, if you have a question about dose, it is often best to change your title by selecting the question mark in your thread title. That helps bring people to your post. I try and help within the comfort level of each caregiver/poster, but sometimes others are also reluctant to offer suggestions when they aren't sure. Please be patient with us :), we are trying to help when we can, sometimes people just aren't comfortable offering dose advice.
 
Krystina & Nelli
So, it is ok to shoot without testing first no matter the why?

I was totally freaked out. At first I thought he got me in the eyeball. After being blind for 5 years, I was afraid I'd lose my eyesight in that eye for good. He is nasty fighter when he doesn't want to come out from under the bed.
Again, I only have this problem in the morning. Any other testing he's okay. I don't understand why the problem only exists for the AMPS. But I do make a true effort to get it.
 
Krystina & Nelli said:
So to be clear... ok to shoot without testing BG first?
Click to expand...

No...in 999 out of 1000 times, you should test before every shot...BUT, in her case, we have to think of the caregiver's safety as well as the cat's.

In a perfect world, we'd like to have all 1000 get tested, but in this case, she really is doing the best she can with a very difficult cat.

Yes, there's a risk of harming the cat....but there's also a risk of permanent disfigurement of the caretaker. We have to take that into consideration.

You know me....you know I'm the last person who ever thought she'd say not to test, but in her case, that's exactly what I did. If she loses an eye or ends up in hospital due to infection (which cats are famous for) then what happens to the cat?
 
Chris & China (GA)

Thank You !! You get it. I do make every effort to test him every morning. It's not a matter of.. ooh I don't want to hurt him. Or I don't want to be bothered. Or some other excuse.
Just sometimes he won't have any part of it. I am very happy that he lets me test all the other times. Can't wait for the day that I can tell someone else, if I can do it, so can you.
 
Chris & China (GA) said:
No...in 999 out of 1000 times, you should test before every shot...BUT, in her case, we have to think of the caregiver's safety as well as the cat's.

In a perfect world, we'd like to have all 1000 get tested, but in this case, she really is doing the best she can with a very difficult cat.

Yes, there's a risk of harming the cat....but there's also a risk of permanent disfigurement of the caretaker. We have to take that into consideration.

You know me....you know I'm the last person who ever thought she'd say not to test, but in her case, that's exactly what I did. If she loses an eye or ends up in hospital due to infection (which cats are famous for) then what happens to the cat?
Click to expand...
Thanks, I get it :)
:bighug:,
K & N
 
Even if you test in the morning, after the shot and some food, that can be valuable information.
We know that Claudio almost blinded you.
Will Claudio let you test him within 20-30 minutes after the food and shot?
 
Deb & Wink
Even if you test in the morning, after the shot and some food, that can be valuable information.
We know that Claudio almost blinded you.
Will Claudio let you test him within 20-30 minutes after the food and shot?

Yes that is an option. I just thought you HAD to test before food & shot. I'll have to put a smidge of food in the bowl so he'll come out from under looking for more. Then I can grab him and test. Then give the remainder
of the food and then shoot. He can be so annoying in the morning for his test. :arghh:
 
"Know thy cat." This old chestnut really comes into play here with Susan and her cat Claudio's situation. NOT something people lurking or reading this post should do for their cat.

Susan, there are always options. There is the "we live in a perfect world and super easy cats come running to get tested", to "it's going to take time for me to get good at testing and get my cat trained with yummy treats to come running to the test spot" all the way to "absolutely will not sit still to be tested, no way, no how, thought my cat blinded me."

1. Best practices, our best recommendations may be to do the pre-shot test before food. Especially at the beginning of the diabetes journey. As you learn how the insulin dose affects YOUR cat.
2. Best practices, our best recommendations may be to remove all food before the pre-shot test.
When you do not know your cat as well as Chris did with China.
3. Best practices, our best recommendations may be to only feed your cat 2 x a day (at least that is what many vets say). Vets say that because they want to make sure your cat is hungry at shot time. That food in the cats stomach before insulin can be really important if your cats appetite is diminished or it looks a bit iffy if they will eat. That can be more important if you are using one of the more quick acting insulins like NPH or Vetsulin/Caninsulin that also drop the BG levels sooner or much more steeply than lantus does.

We are giving suggestions, recommendations, advice, mentoring ideas that work for the majority of cats. 99.99% of cats.
There are exceptions. There are always exceptions. Like Claudio.
Note it on your spreadsheet. That you feed a tiny bit of food at AMPS.
The less time between giving Claudio some food, and that AMPS the better. The smaller the portion of food before pre-shots that you can manage Susan, the better. Giving Claudio more food right after the pre-shot is fine.

It may limit your options to stall and retest if Claudio is in low BG's at pre-shot.
It may mean a reduced dose occasionally to compensate for the food if you need to stall.
It may mean skipping a dose of insulin and draining the lantus "depot" storage area a bit.
It may mean it takes longer to get Claudio regulated or into low BG ranges.

I'd rather see you get those "tiny bit of food influenced" BG readings than not test at AM pre-shot at all.

Perfect world collides with reality.
"No, my cat is a grazer and will not eat all his food at one time."
"No, my cat will not let me test him without some food first."
"No, my cat will not eat canned food and only eats dry food." (There are ways to switch. Takes time and dedication. Trust me, Wink was a member of DFAA.)
"No, my cat is old and set in his/her ways and will not let me give a pill."
"No, I work 12 hour shifts and can not dose insulin every 12 hours." 11/13 hours may work.
"No, I work 5 days a week and can not get AM tests. Work 1 hour away from home and no way to make the round trip in traffic."

I was thinking that you may want to wear goggles, like I do when working with any type of chemicals or trimming my shrubs and flowers. I lost the central vision in one eye decades ago. No way to ever get it back. If the sub-retinal bleed had happened within the last decade or so, laser surgery could have stopped the bleeding blood vessel and not left scarring in my central vision. Several decades ago, there were no options. Only being a medical oddity at my small town hospital and having all the residents and medical students come take a look.
 
Thanks Deb. Glad that you and Chris are giving me some work around ideas. This doesn't happen every day. But when it does, I need creative solutions to get the job done. This morning he was waiting for his food in the living room. So a AMPS
was easy to get. Just never know what each morning brings. His AMPS is his only issue. Other testings, shots, pills, etc he tolerates.
 
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