Some newbie questions

[Mandy S]

I posted this on the FB page, but it's habit to go there since I haven't had message board connections off Fb for years. If you see it there, don't feel like you have to reply here too!!

I have some newbie questions. We're on day 2 of this journey and I think we're doing pretty well. I just want to double check a few things before bed tonight. Sissy's AMPS yesterday was 342 and her PMPS was 272 and +2 after that was 266. Today her AMPS was 258 +6 was 245. All of these after her very first one are all fairly close, right? Is that good?

Next question....if her number is below 200 do you shoot? Or just right above 200? A full dose or .5 dose. I have the Lantus pen and I've been using the needles that came with it while she's doing 1 unit because I paid 60 for them and want to use them up if I can. But I do have these other syringes that we picked up at walmart. I just don't know how to read them.

:/ Or if they would work to give her a half dose if or when needed. Pics below. How do you know when to reduce a dose or not?

Food questions...how long do you keep boiled shredded chicken in the fridge? I'm vegan so we haven't had meat or cooked meat for 8-9 years? Right now sometimes that's all she will eat.

Ear question...Will her ears always look bruised like they do or as I get better at it, it won't happen? I have been able to free hand stick her twice today. I had my daughter go to dollar general and pick up a cheap pair of higher magnification reading glasses just for stick time. The ones I have for reading just do not do it. lol It will help I'm sure. I know people say it doesn't hurt them, but today when I had to try to poke her a few times to get blood, she acted like it did.

I hate that.

Okay, I think that's it for right now. Thanks to all of you who take the time to patiently explain things to newbies like me.

<3

Pics of the syringes I have and one of Sissy for fun. The only time she wears a collar is when we're in the camper...and she looks so cute in it.

 

[NoahFL]

Hello, saw your questions on FB and you got some great advice from Chris. I’m a ProZinc user so cant help with dosing, but I can give my opinion on some of your questions.

Refrigerated chicken - I kept it in the fridge for 4 days. One trick I learned was to bake some breasts then cut in small cubes and freeze. Max loves his frozen cubes.

Bruising ears - be sure you are piercing the outer rim of the ear instead of the actual vein. In time, the ear will bleed better. I always rub his ear before piercing to warm it up,

 

[NoahFL]

The sweet spot

 

[Mandy S]

I think I'm at least at the 4 day mark with the chicken...:/ I should have asked earlier so I could have gotten to the store. I hope she will eat some of the canned food we have. She is just not feeling it yet. She just wants that chicken only...and I know she can't eat it only. Her food allergies that I talked about in another post have made it even more difficult to find something she will eat. I'm ordering some stuff that was recommended so we'll see how that goes.

Her poor little ears..I did hit the vein last night and made a mess. I felt so bad.

 

[Mandy S]

The sweet spot

That's where I have been trying to aim. Right now she has bruises in those areas from the device going through her sweet little ear. I don't want to poke there again til it heals, right?

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

Ear question...Will her ears always look bruised like they do or as I get better at it, it won't happen? I have been able to free hand stick her twice today. I had my daughter go to dollar general and pick up a cheap pair of higher magnification reading glasses just for stick time. The ones I have for reading just do not do it. lol It will help I'm sure. I know people say it doesn't hurt them, but today when I had to try to poke her a few times to get blood, she acted like it did.

I hate that.

It is more important to test. The ear will heal. You can put some neosporin with pain relief ointment (not the cream) on her ears.
Think of how many times a cat outside gets their ears whacked by another cat during a standoff. Try associating testing with a treat. A lot of people use the freeze-dried treats. No carbs, one ingredient. There will be much less flinching.

 

[NoahFL]

I think I'm at least at the 4 day mark with the chicken...:/ I should have asked earlier so I could have gotten to the store. I hope she will eat some of the canned food we have. She is just not feeling it yet. She just wants that chicken only...and I know she can't eat it only. Her food allergies that I talked about in another post have made it even more difficult to find something she will eat. I'm ordering some stuff that was recommended so we'll see how that goes.

Her poor little ears..I did hit the vein last night and made a mess. I felt so bad.

It’s easy to feel bad, but don’t. We’ve all done it. I’ve hit the vein before and it looked like a war zone on the bed. In time, it’ll just become a normal routine in your day. Hopefully she’ll do good on the new food.

 

[Mandy S]

It is more important to test. The ear will heal. You can put some neosporin with pain relief ointment (not the cream) on her ears.
Think of how many times a cat outside gets their ears whacked by another cat during a standoff. Try associating testing with a treat. A lot of people use the freeze-dried treats. No carbs, one ingredient. There will be much less flinching.

Can you get the freeze-dried treats in a pet store or do you order them. I've never even seen them, so I bet I'll have to order.
I'll get some neosporin. Thank you!

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

from the device going through her sweet little ear.

When we were new, I pierced China's ears so many times I joked that I should just buy her a pair of diamond stud earrings.

It's normal....they heal....China's ears were poked over 16,000 times and unless you were looking very closely, you'd never know it.

 

[NoahFL]

That's where I have been trying to aim. Right now she has bruises in those areas from the device going through her sweet little ear. I don't want to poke there again til it heals, right?

Are you alternating ears and spots? What size lancet are you using? I manually pierce instead of using the lancet gadget. The click sound mad Max nervous and I felt like I had better control manually piercing.

 

[NoahFL]

I buy these. I recommend the dog one and then break it up yourself. It’s more cost effective that buying the cat bag.

https://www.chewy.com/purebites-chicken-breast-freeze-dried/dp/53161

 

[Mandy S]

It’s easy to feel bad, but don’t. We’ve all done it. I’ve hit the vein before and it looked like a war zone on the bed. In time, it’ll just become a normal routine in your day. Hopefully she’ll do good on the new food.

I feel so dumb about everything. I keep telling myself this is the SECOND day. lol I've only given 3 shots...though poked her ear too many times just trying to get blood.
I've read so much I can't take it all in. And I feel bad asking questions when the answers are here on the board somewhere...I just can't read it all in the time I have to get online...Once I have a handle on the basics and what to do in an emergency and things to look for, I think I will be able to calm down a bit.

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

Can you get the freeze-dried treats in a pet store or do you order them. I've never even seen them, so I bet I'll have to order.
I'll get some neosporin. Thank you!

Any pet store should have them. I'm in Canada and not sure of the brand names in the US. They are just freeze-dried bits of meat or shrimp or salmon.

And I feel bad asking questions when the answers are here on the board somewhere...I just can't read it all in the time I have to get online...Once I have a handle on the basics and what to do in an emergency and things to look for, I think I will be able to calm down a bit.

We've all been where you are now and are here to help. It's a steep learning curve but will become second nature quickly. And we like questions.

 

[NoahFL]

I feel so dumb about everything. I keep telling myself this is the SECOND day. lol I've only given 3 shots...though poked her ear too many times just trying to get blood.
I've read so much I can't take it all in. And I feel bad asking questions when the answers are here on the board somewhere...I just can't read it all in the time I have to get online...Once I have a handle on the basics and what to do in an emergency and things to look for, I think I will be able to calm down a bit.

Please don’t ever feel dumb. We’ve all been where you are. This site was my Saving Grace and got me through it. Ask as many questions as you need to, and first and foremost... breathe and celebrate small victories. You’re already home testing on day 2. How amazing is that??

 

[Mandy S]

Are you alternating ears and spots? What size lancet are you using? I manually pierce instead of using the lancet gadget. The click sound mad Max nervous and I felt like I had better control manually piercing.

I try to move around on the ear and not hit those bruised spots. I'm using 30 guage relion lancets...in the relion lancing device. But it's not adjustable. I did it on my finger to try the meter on me and I could still feel it when I used that finger all day yesterday. I felt like I could aim and see better just free handing it today though, so I'll see how tonight goes. I might pick up an adjustable lancing device.

 

[NoahFL]

I try to move around on the ear and not hit those bruised spots. I'm using 30 guage relion lancets...in the relion lancing device. But it's not adjustable. I did it on my finger to try the meter on me and I could still feel it when I used that finger all day yesterday. I felt like I could aim and see better just free handing it today though, so I'll see how tonight goes. I might pick up an adjustable lancing device.

If you manually pierce, be sure to put a cotton ball on the other side so you don’t pierce yourself. Speaking from experience lol

 

[Mandy S]

Please don’t ever feel dumb. We’ve all been where you are. This site was my Saving Grace and got me through it. Ask as many questions as you need to, and first and foremost... breathe and celebrate small victories. You’re already home testing on day 2. How amazing is that??

Yes! Day 2!

Last night I was able to test and do her shot and it didn't go bad...after I cleaned up from hitting her vein. But I felt really nervous about going to bed. I stayed up til I was about to drop to get a +2 and it was just a tiny bit lower than what it had been, so I went to bed. But I think I was restless. Not knowing how that first night would go. It's scarier at night when not as many people are up to respond...or the vets closed. I want to be confident I know what to do just because night time was stressful last night.

 

[Mandy S]

If you manually pierce, be sure to put a cotton ball on the other side so you don’t pierce yourself. Speaking from experience lol

Lol good to know. I've been using a folded paper towel. I watched a video in the files and it talked about how to hold the lancet with the sharp point down and going in at an angle and that helped. The lancet I have to hold straight up and down and since it's not adjustable it just plows right through.

 

[NoahFL]

Yes! Day 2!

Last night I was able to test and do her shot and it didn't go bad...after I cleaned up from hitting her vein. But I felt really nervous about going to bed. I stayed up til I was about to drop to get a +2 and it was just a tiny bit lower than what it had been, so I went to bed. But I think I was restless. Not knowing how that first night would go. It's scarier at night when not as many people are up to respond...or the vets closed. I want to be confident I know what to do just because night time was stressful last night.

The beauty of this site is we have people from all over the world so there is almost always someone on. I had a few night hypo events and thankfully there were some folks from Australia on and a few night owls. It’s always a good idea to get a +2. I believe anything above a 25% drop is worthy of watching.

 

[Mandy S]

I just thought of another question. So if I want to give insulin at 11...do I start testing at like quarter til to have time to test, and her to eat to then shoot at 11 or do I start at 11? I haven't been able to hit the hour on the hour because I either haven't gotten the blood very fast, or she just won't eat. This morning I thought she wasn't going to eat and finally she did eat some but was't sure it was enough...but then she did finally go back and eat more. Chris told me on the board last night that I just need the willingness to eat with Lantus because of how it works...I figured she would eat more...and she did, but what if she hadn't. How much food is enough to shoot?

 

[NoahFL]

Not sure with Lantus, but I’m sure someone will have the answer.

 

[Mandy S]

I just did her 12 hour test and shot. I stuck her...I think it went through again, but it bled and I got the test done super fast. 260. Got her to eat a little then gave her the shot. She got made about the shot and tried to pull away, didn't want me pulling up her skin. :/ But I got it.

I get why using the Lantus pen is better because it's a smaller bottle, but I'm afraid I'm going to bump the dial and give her too much. I check and recheck, then after it's done I have a second of panic about whether I bumped it or not. I have generalized anxiety disorder and OCD....things are a little flared up right now.

 

[NoahFL]

I just did her 12 hour test and shot. I stuck her...I think it went through again, but it bled and I got the test done super fast. 260. Got her to eat a little then gave her the shot. She got made about the shot and tried to pull away, didn't want me pulling up her skin. :/ But I got it.

I get why using the Lantus pen is better because it's a smaller bottle, but I'm afraid I'm going to bump the dial and give her too much. I check and recheck, then after it's done I have a second of panic about whether I bumped it or not. I have generalized anxiety disorder and OCD....things are a little flared up right now.

Insulin shot bled? Lots of great videos on giving insulin shots. The tent method worked best for me between the shoulder blades at a 45 degree angle (shot point toward butt).

 

[NoahFL]

I totally understand the anxiety, but I promise it gets better.

 

[Mandy S]

Insulin shot bled? Lots of great videos on giving insulin shots. The tent method worked best for me between the shoulder blades at a 45 degree angle (shot point toward butt).

No, her poke in her ear. I went through the ear again. :/

 

[NoahFL]

No, her poke in her ear. I went through the ear again. :/

ahh, that’s ok. Give yourself time and you’ll be mastering it. I went through the ear many times. Did you do it freehand?

 

[Mandy S]

ahh, that’s ok. Give yourself time and you’ll be mastering it. I went through the ear many times. Did you do it freehand?

I did. I did it twice today without going through...not that last time. The device goes through anyway...so if I'd used it, same thing would have happened. At least I can see where to poke her when I do it freehand...even with the clear top on the device it's hard for me to see where it's going. I think that's how I hit that vein last night.
PLUS...the glasses my daughter brought helped SO much. I can only have them on to look at her ear though. lol I can't look around or walk in them. My regular reading glasses are only .75 or 1....these are a 2.5 and quite a difference. lol

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I get why using the Lantus pen is better because it's a smaller bottle, but I'm afraid I'm going to bump the dial and give her too much.

Are you using the special pen needles that come with the pen? It's a shame so many people get convinced to buy those since they're expensive and pretty useless when it comes to cats.

Using the regular insulin syringes to pull the insulin out of the pen will not only make sure you can't "bump the dial", but it'll also allow you to give doses other than whole units (like .75, .5, .25)

Another thing you may not know if you're using the special pen needles and the "dial a dose"....to get an accurate dose, you are supposed to "prime" it first....that means wasting 2 units each time you use it. Who can afford that??

Also, the mechanism can fail if you keep the pen in the fridge to extend the life of the insulin.

 

[Mandy S]

Our vet told us nothing other than she was diabetic and then had a tech show us how to give her insulin. There was basically no other instruction except to do that 12 hours apart. He said this is what she uses for all her diabetic cats because it's so easy. Nothing was even said about hypoglycemia or signs of things we should watch for. Just learned that when I joined the fb page. She said she'd call in the insulin and what we'd need and I picked it up. I had no idea about the needles vs pen needles. I honestly thought it would just come with regular insulin syringes. I paid 60 dollars for those special needles because that's what was called in. I did go and buy a box of the syringes that you recommended I get so that if I need to give more or less I will have them. But while I'm still doing just 1 unit, I've been using the special ones because I can't return then and I can't afford to throw them out. I doubt I could get someone to buy them for the 60 I paid. :/ The pharmacist didn't say anything about priming it, just told us to keep them in the fridge.

So I obviously haven't primed it...what does that mean for Sissy's shots she's had...4 now?

 

[Panic]

I did. I did it twice today without going through...not that last time. The device goes through anyway...so if I'd used it, same thing would have happened. At least I can see where to poke her when I do it freehand...even with the clear top on the device it's hard for me to see where it's going. I think that's how I hit that vein last night.

The lancing device has different levels of adjustment, do you have it on the lowest setting? The higher the setting the more it pushes through. I tried freehand once and pushed too hard, she jerked and it snagged across her ear. Never wanted to do that again! Not sure which device you're using but the ReliOn brand has a sort of cross opening ( like + ) and I would line the vertical line as close to the edge as possible to determine where to poke. I never looked for the vein; with black ears I'd never find them anyway without a light. I just went for as close to the edge as possible.

I just thought of another question. So if I want to give insulin at 11...do I start testing at like quarter til to have time to test, and her to eat to then shoot at 11 or do I start at 11? I haven't been able to hit the hour on the hour because I either haven't gotten the blood very fast, or she just won't eat. This morning I thought she wasn't going to eat and finally she did eat some but was't sure it was enough...but then she did finally go back and eat more. Chris told me on the board last night that I just need the willingness to eat with Lantus because of how it works...I figured she would eat more...and she did, but what if she hadn't. How much food is enough to shoot?

With Lantus you usually test, feed, shoot within 10 minutes. All you do is pick a "start" time. I will start her insulin treatment at 11. Testing may take 2 minutes ...11:02...getting the can ready...11:04...getting the insulin ready...11:07...finally getting your butt on the floor to shoot and slide the needle in...11:10. But you would still consider schedule to be a 11AM/PM basis. Don't focus so much on "when" she gets the insulin inside her. Pick a time to "start" insulin time. And start at the same time every time, because how long it takes from start to finish will typically be the same. Does that make sense?

And yes, Lantus is a gentle insulin that doesn't kick in normally for a couple hours, so as long as kitty shows initial interest (maybe not in the mood for a meal but will accept some chicken) they will usually be in the mood a little later. Normally a cat isn't going to turn down a high-value treat unless they feel poorly (so keep some on-hand at all times so you can check), and if a diabetic feels poorly that's usually cause for concern. You may be inclined to skip the shoot if they're not feeling well but that can be detrimental and invite ketones to form. No food + no insulin = trouble.

 

[Mandy S]

The lancing device has different levels of adjustment, do you have it on the lowest setting? The higher the setting the more it pushes through. I tried freehand once and pushed too hard, she jerked and it snagged across her ear. Never wanted to do that again! Not sure which device you're using but the ReliOn brand has a sort of cross opening ( like + ) and I would line the vertical line as close to the edge as possible to determine where to poke. I never looked for the vein; with black ears I'd never find them anyway without a light. I just went for as close to the edge as possible.



With Lantus you usually test, feed, shoot within 10 minutes. All you do is pick a "start" time. I will start her insulin treatment at 11. Testing may take 2 minutes ...11:02...getting the can ready...11:04...getting the insulin ready...11:07...finally getting your butt on the floor to shoot and slide the needle in...11:10. But you would still consider schedule to be a 11AM/PM basis. Don't focus so much on "when" she gets the insulin inside her. Pick a time to "start" insulin time. And start at the same time every time, because how long it takes from start to finish will typically be the same. Does that make sense?

And yes, Lantus is a gentle insulin that doesn't kick in normally for a couple hours, so as long as kitty shows initial interest (maybe not in the mood for a meal but will accept some chicken) they will usually be in the mood a little later. Normally a cat isn't going to turn down a high-value treat unless they feel poorly (so keep some on-hand at all times so you can check), and if a diabetic feels poorly that's usually cause for concern. You may be inclined to skip the shoot if they're not feeling well but that can be detrimental and invite ketones to form. No food + no insulin = trouble.

Okay, I need to check my device. I didn't think it was adjustable. I didn't see a way to do it anyway.

Yes, picking a time to start does make sense.

Sissy still licks her lips a lot...she was on Cerenia quite a bit over the last few months for nausea and her lip licking was always bad when she needed it. I notice she does it still, not as much. But when she's cuddling, she'll all of a sudden become alert, start licking her lips and get up like she just can't stay there anymore. I've mentioned it to the vet before, but she just says to give her the cerenia. The last several weeks before her diagnosis, I called several times telling her that Sissy wasn't feeling well, she was not eating...acting sick to her stomach...hiding. She just wanted to try different rx foods for her allergies to see if she'd eat more, Cerenia and an appetite stimulant. Finally I called last week and said she's lost weight, I can see it, she's not eating...I think she needs to be seen. So they had me bring her for blood work. Next day they called and said her blood work showed something she wasn't expecting and that her blood sugar was well over 400 and wanted to do fructosamine test. Which also came back confirming it. That was Saturday morning, Monday afternoon we came in to see the tech to learn how to do a shot..and the rest that I know so far I've learned here. I had no idea til just now with Chris's post above that I'm supposed to be priming the pen if I use the lantus needles. I had no idea about much of this.

 

[Panic]

Okay, I need to check my device. I didn't think it was adjustable. I didn't see a way to do it anyway.

If it's the Relion you're using there's an extra piece you put on it to adjust it if I remember right. I had an Alphatrak lancing device too (never used it) that was adjustable as well so I'm not sure if every lancet has the capability or not.

Poor Sissy. I don't know why more vets don't take cats not eating more seriously. Especially one that is hiding, that indicates pain.

..and the rest that I know so far I've learned here. I had no idea til just now with Chris's post above that I'm supposed to be priming the pen if I use the lantus needles. I had no idea about much of this.

Yep, that's unfortunately a common sentence around here. My vet didn't even remember to show me how to give insulin until I asked, only told me to switch her food. Oh, and if she acts hypoglycemic just put some pancake syrup on her tongue. That right there was the extent of the information I was given. Thanks a lot. Good thing the people that find their way here are the ones willing to educate themselves.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

So I obviously haven't primed it...what does that mean for Sissy's shots she's had...4 now?

Probably it means absolutely nothing so don't drive yourself crazy.

The directions for using the pen should come with it but most of us throw them away without reading them. They are also on the Lantus website.

Here's a video that shows how to use it (on humans of course) but the points they make are the same for our cats if we want the mechanism to work properly.

https://www.lantus.com/using-solostar-insulin-pen

 

[Mandy S]

When you're doing the +1's and so on...do we pick up the food?
I gave Sissy her shot at 11 and was going to do a +2 but didn't pick up food, so I did pick it up..and will try at 3 if I can stay awake. But just wondered.

 

[Patty & Teal'c]

No you don't have to pick up the food for the in between test. Only 2 hours before Amps and Pmps.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Sissy has such a precious face, Welcome to the best place you ever want to be

 

[Mandy S]

Sissy has such a precious face, Welcome to the best place you ever want to be

Thank you, I agree. She has a very expressive face. She has the sweetest looks and temperament, but can have aa serious RBI that makes people think she's grumpy. lol

 

[Critter Mom]

I get why using the Lantus pen is better because it's a smaller bottle, but I'm afraid I'm going to bump the dial and give her too much. I check and recheck, then after it's done I have a second of panic about whether I bumped it or not. I have generalized anxiety disorder and OCD....things are a little flared up right now.

Ooh, that sounds very familiar. (I've got OCD, PTSD, and panic disorder with agoraphobia. )

Have a solidarity hug!




Testing Tip: After you've done the ear prick and got the blood sample, fold a cotton pad round the area where you pricked and squeeze the ear gently but firmly for about 15 seconds. It'll help reduce the bruising.


Mogs
.

 

[Mandy S]

Ooh, that sounds very familiar. (I've got OCD, PTSD, and panic disorder with agoraphobia. )

Have a solidarity hug!




Testing Tip: After you've done the ear prick and got the blood sample, fold a cotton pad round the area where you pricked and squeeze the ear gently but firmly for about 15 seconds. It'll help reduce the bruising.


Mogs
.

I too have ptsd, though EMDR therapy has really given me my life back as far as dealing with triggers and reliving things. It is always going to be there, but right now with covid and all the other unrest and this crazy year, my anxiety and ocd is just been rough! You know well I'm sure. Agoraphobia is something my therapist has talked about with me, she said she see's some things in me that worry her about that, it's so hard sometimes living with this dread and fear. Hugs back to you too!

 

[Critter Mom]

So sorry to hear you've also got PTSD too, Mandy, but very glad that you've found something to help alleviate the worst of it. Living constantly under the sword of Damocles is indeed tough - and exhausting.

I'm glad you've found FDMB. The members here are such kind, generous and caring people. The help and support I have received from them since I became a member - both technical and emotional - has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I will be forever grateful to them. They helped me to help my girl, and they will do the same for you and Sissy. FD can be a real emotional roller coaster at times, but you'll find a limitless supply of hugs and shoulders to lean on here any time you need them.




Mogs
.

 

[Mandy S]

So sorry to hear you've also got PTSD too, Mandy, but very glad that you've found something to help alleviate the worst of it. Living constantly under the sword of Damocles is indeed tough - and exhausting.

I'm glad you've found FDMB. The members here are such kind, generous and caring people. The help and support I have received from them since I became a member - both technical and emotional - has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I will be forever grateful to them. They helped me to help my girl, and they will do the same for you and Sissy. FD can be a real emotional roller coaster at times, but you'll find a limitless supply of hugs and shoulders to lean on here any time you need them.




Mogs
.

I'm glad you replied. I hate that we have similar issues, but it can be really lonely when people just don't understand how debilitating and isolating mental health issues can be, and it's always good to know you really aren't alone. I'm SO glad I found this place. I am so grateful for it already!!

 

[Critter Mom]

it can be really lonely when people just don't understand how debilitating and isolating mental health issues can be

You never said truer.


Mogs
.

 

[Critter Mom]

PS: With all that you have going on yourself and trying to treat a diabetic cat on top of that, I think you're doing famously! Have one of these:

Mogs
.

 

[Mandy S]

PS: With all that you have going on yourself and trying to treat a diabetic cat on top of that, I think you're doing famously! Have one of these:



Mogs
.

Not so much tonight. Having trouble pulling it together, tonight was bad. My nerves were shot, then had trouble getting her to bleed for her test, then her number was lower than it had been and I was worried if I gave her the shot it would go too low, then I did the check, recheck, check, recheck thing again til I had myself almost talked out of giving her a shot, but I did it. Then asked a question on fb that I forgot I had asked before and felt stupid, then deleted it, not realizing I shouldn't..now I wish I hadn't done that. :/ So, just sitting here crying because I feel so unsure of myself and how to take care of her. I've been reading all these things on the pages about different cats and their crises's and my chest got so tight. It will pass, it is just one of those nights where I wish my brain didn't work like it does.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I forgot I had asked before and felt stupid,

Never, EVER feel stupid!! Learning how to treat a diabetic cat is like trying to learn a college level course in endocrinology in 2 days or less. It's impossible!

We never mind answering the same question because we all did it when we were new! As you keep asking questions, even if they're the same ones, you'll start to remember little bits and pieces each time until one day the light bulb will go off and this whole thing will make more sense.

That's why we're here! You'll see there's quite a few of us here with "GA" in our names....it's not because we're all from Georgia....LOL It means our sugarcat's are now our Guardian Angels.

We stay here and continue to help others because it meant so much to us to have people help us when we were new, confused, overwhelmed and desperate.

We understand....We get it!

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

ABSOLUTELY Chris!
If I had a nickle for every time I repeated a question, WE would ALL be rich! (I like sharing) lol

Marathons are run by individuals. Its the contestants that make up the race. You are in a marathon. Pace yourself.

Its going to be ok.
j

 

[Critter Mom]

it is just one of those nights where I wish my brain didn't work like it does.

Oh, Mandy.

What you described above is soooooo familiar to me. I can feel the spiral from you ...



What Chris says above is very true: if you need help on anything - even if it's the same question - ask, ask and ask again should you need to. There is an incredibly steep learning curve in the early days. It's tough for everyone but it can be much harder when trying to do all that while managing major anxiety issues as well.

For myself, my PTSD etc. makes it extremely difficult to assimilate information (I cannot split focus), especially anything novel, and even the smallest of changes to anything freaks me out. When presented with any processing challenge - reading/writing, grocery websites, someone talking on the phone - my brain reacts to whatever's incoming the way a moth would react were it to take a night flight down the strip in Las Vegas. Complete overload. Then some sort of circuit breaker trips and everything - everything! - I was trying to hold onto in my working memory just disappears.

A great deal of the time when I'm trying to read I can't remember the start of a sentence by the time I get to the finish, so I end up reading and re-reading it until I get the sense of it. So tiring. When it comes to writing, regurgitating something onto a page that has been dinned into my brain through countless repetitions doesn't require much assimilation but I tend to be very wordy (you'll see that by the length of many of my posts here) because the cognitive impairment means I can't really précis my thoughts any more. It's the same when I have to speak to people: I can't stop talking and I feel really embarrassed about it. Think nervous talker on speed.

As you may see from some of my posts you encounter as you wander round the board, I did manage to eventually take in the information I needed. It's the frequent repetition that helped to shoehorn it into my uber-befuddled noggin.

As Chris mentions above, many caregivers who come here for help with their own cats stay on to help others (with little furry angels on their shoulders supervising proceedings). I want to help too. I find it difficult and very tiring to write, but I have oh so much to pay forward - several lifetimes worth - that I try to contribute what I can when I can. The fatigue is a price worth paying if it helps some kitty and their bean somewhere, just as so many others have helped me and my beloved girl.

I hope that my sharing this will be in some small way helpful in reassuring you that while getting to grips with treating feline diabetes really is overwhelming at first - for everyone! - you will get there, Mandy, and possibly sooner than you currently think. If I can manage it, anyone can!


Mogs
.

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

As Chris mentions above, many caregivers who come here for help with their own cats stay on to help others (with little furry angels on their shoulders supervising proceedings). I want to help too. I find it difficult and very tiring to write, but I have oh so much to pay forward - several lifetimes worth - that I try to contribute what I can when I can. The fatigue is a price worth paying if it helps some kitty and their bean somewhere, just as so many others have helped me and my beloved girl.

THIS is why we ALL do it. Thanks Mogs

 

[Critter Mom]

PS: For info, at one point in my life I used to be a project manager. I can remember how my brain used to function and at times it makes me angry, frustrated and also extremely sad that that it no longer works that way.


Mogs
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[Critter Mom]

THIS is why we ALL do it. Thanks Mogs

And thank you too, Jeanne. Place just wouldn't be the same without you.




Mogs
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