Question re: Lantus Forum

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Summer and Susie (GA)

Summer and Susie (GA)

Member Since 2020
I'm not sure I am understanding something I read. Am I asked/required to post a daily thread on the Lantus, Basaglar & Levemir site when I transition from the Vetsulin to the Lantus on March 2nd? If there is nothing "remarkable or noteworthy" going on why would I need to post a thread? I don't know if I put this question in the right thread? Sorry, if I was wrong. Should I have put this question in the Lantus, Basaglar & Levemir forum.
 
It's fine to raise your question here.

You are not "required" to post on a daily basis. In part, the reason that we refer to "daily" posts is that historically, the Lantus group is tight knit. When members would disappear, everyone would start to worry since over the years, the majority of people were posting on a daily basis. If you read through the threads, you'll notice that people are chatty and appear to know one another fairly well. That's the result of people "visiting" each other's threads. There is very much of a sense of community on that board. To a degree, this is a bit less the case in recent years.

The other aspect of posting regularly is that Lantus is very different than Vetsulin. Your knee jerk responses are currently based on how Vetsulin works. It may be helpful to post regularly on the Lantus board until you feel like you have a strong foundation in how Lantus works. Many vets are still not fully conversant with how to advise caregivers on using a depot-type of insulin whereas the people on the Lantus board tend to be considerably more knowledgeable about depot insulins.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
It's fine to raise your question here.

You are not "required" to post on a daily basis. In part, the reason that we refer to "daily" posts is that historically, the Lantus group is tight knit. When members would disappear, everyone would start to worry since over the years, the majority of people were posting on a daily basis. If you read through the threads, you'll notice that people are chatty and appear to know one another fairly well. That's the result of people "visiting" each other's threads. There is very much of a sense of community on that board. To a degree, this is a bit less the case in recent years.

The other aspect of posting regularly is that Lantus is very different than Vetsulin. Your knee jerk responses are currently based on how Vetsulin works. It may be helpful to post regularly on the Lantus board until you feel like you have a strong foundation in how Lantus works. Many vets are still not fully conversant with how to advise caregivers on using a depot-type of insulin whereas the people on the Lantus board tend to be considerably more knowledgeable about depot insulins.
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Thanks, Sienne. I will say that I am very nervous about the transition. Mostly because the U300 syringes have such tiny markings on them that I don't know if I will get the 1.25 Units correct. How does anyone ever get the .25 and .75 markings correct? The lines are so close together with the half unit markings. Anyway, I appreciate the response and am sure I will be testing frequently in the beginning to see how she does. Looking for regulation - not remission. I don't want the scary, potentially hypo numbers, to pop up but this may change as I get more comfortable. I will say I have been frustrated with the Vetsulin. Tried to raise it to 1.5 units and she stopped eating so I have been locked into the 1.25 units with no real improvement for a while. By the way, a beautiful tribute to your lovely Gabby. Yes, a diagnosis of diabetes will change a bean's life but they are well worth it. I'm sure you miss her.
 
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@Summer and Susie you can use calipers to make it easier in small doses.

The daily post in the L&L forum isn't that bad, just means more eyes to catch if anything isn't right. I find it reassuring.
Mine has been on Caninsulin, Levemir, Prozinc and now Levemir again. You can look at my spreadsheet and see a huge transformation. Any depot insulin is much more gentle and less nerve-wracking than vetinsulin, if you ask me.
I hope you'll find Lantus much better, and easier to work with :bighug:
 
First, you should have U100 (not U300) syringes. Lantus is a U100 insulin -- the concentration of the insulin and the syringe calibration need to match.

Most people do get good at eyeballing the quarter unit amounts. However, many people use digital calipers to help measure a dose consistently. You can purchase 6" digital calipers from Harbor Freight. (I'm sure there are other places, too.) @Marje and Gracie put together information on how to measure with calipers.

I'd encourage you to read the sticky notes at the top of the Lantus forum, if you've not done so already. There are photos of what the syringe looks like with quarter unit doses so. you have a comparison. The stickies will also help to reduce at least some of your anxiety. With Lantus, the basic mantra is "shoot low to stay low." Because it is a less harsh insulin than Vetsulin, you have a great deal more flexibility. Onset is 2 hours after you shoot -- you do not need to feed your cat 20 - 30 min. before shot time. Lantus typically doesn't drop numbers like a rock -- it can happen but it's far more typical of a shorter acting insulin.

There are also a lot of people who are members of the Lantus forum. They are very generous with their information and are there to help.
 
SashaV said:
@Summer and Susie you can use calipers to make it easier in small doses.

The daily post in the L&L forum isn't that bad, just means more eyes to catch if anything isn't right. I find it reassuring.
Mine has been on Caninsulin, Levemir, Prozinc and now Levemir again. You can look at my spreadsheet and see a huge transformation. Any depot insulin is much more gentle and less nerve-wracking than vetinsulin, if you ask me.
I hope you'll find Lantus much better, and easier to work with :bighug:
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You are certainly getting better numbers, now. I did buy a caliper and a whitebox and a lighted magnifying glass. I sent Marge two of my syringes to help me calibrate the dosages. They are Ulticare VetRV. I mailed them on 2/18. They have been missing for over a week. I do not have the caliper mm measurements and this makes me nervous. I have been told how to do it myself but I am not comfortable trusting myself at this time. I will do the best I can but was hoping for some calibrated numbers for the caliper before I began. I, too, am hoping the Lantus will bring better and more consistent results. I also do not have a problem posting in the L, B, L forum daily. I just didn't want to take away from someone who may have an urgent need if Susie seems to be doing okay.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
First, you should have U100 (not U300) syringes. Lantus is a U100 insulin -- the concentration of the insulin and the syringe calibration need to match.

Most people do get good at eyeballing the quarter unit amounts. However, many people use digital calipers to help measure a dose consistently. You can purchase 6" digital calipers from Harbor Freight. (I'm sure there are other places, too.) @Marje and Gracie put together information on how to measure with calipers.

I'd encourage you to read the sticky notes at the top of the Lantus forum, if you've not done so already. There are photos of what the syringe looks like with quarter unit doses so. you have a comparison. The stickies will also help to reduce at least some of your anxiety. With Lantus, the basic mantra is "shoot low to stay low." Because it is a less harsh insulin than Vetsulin, you have a great deal more flexibility. Onset is 2 hours after you shoot -- you do not need to feed your cat 20 - 30 min. before shot time. Lantus typically doesn't drop numbers like a rock -- it can happen but it's far more typical of a shorter acting insulin.

There are also a lot of people who are members of the Lantus forum. They are very generous with their information and are there to help.
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Sorry, I do have the U100 syringes. That was a mistake on my part. Please see my comment to SashaV. I did buy the caliper and the lightbox and the lighted magnifying glass. I sent a couple of my syringes to Marje to help me with the syringes I am using and the calibration for them. They are MIA. I have read all the Lantus Stickys but all of this does not sink in. I need to reread and reread. I won't wait to shoot after testing and feeding. Thank you, Sienne.
 
Summer and Susie said:
I just didn't want to take away from someone who may have an urgent need if Susie seems to be doing okay.
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Don't worry about that, there are lots of people watching out for folks on LBL. Plus, we just love to help and enjoy seeing successes.

Susie looks like she's flattening out nicely on Lantus. :)

As for the mail, Marje sent me something in December that took closer to 3 weeks to get to me. Mail system is moving slowly every these days it seems.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
I am confused as to why you brought up U300 syringes. I am not awary that U100 syrines are available, U500 syringes for U500 R insulin are available. https://www.bd.com/en-us/offerings/...insulin-syringe-with-bd-ultra-fine-6mm-needle
Toujeo is U300 glargine but only available in disposable pen
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Wendy&Neko said:
Don't worry about that, there are lots of people watching out for folks on LBL. Plus, we just love to help and enjoy seeing successes.

Susie looks like she's flattening out nicely on Lantus. :)

As for the mail, Marje sent me something in December that took closer to 3 weeks to get to me. Mail system is moving slowly every these days it seems.
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Hey, Wendy. Susie isn't on the Lantus, yet. She is still on Vetsulin but I will be making the change on 3/2/21. That is why I am nervous.
 
You will probably get addicted to posting there! Among many advantages, I find that posting the BGs in the subject line allows experienced members to potentially pick up on something that you don’t see or understand. It’s happened before. I think posting every day also encourages support and friendship; members get used to seeing you and Susie there and there is just so very much to learn by posting on others’ condos and having them post on yours.

I hope the syringes come tomorrow! I will look at them immediately.
 
Tina Marie and Jan said:
I will look for you in the L & L forum. You are just the kind of person and kitty it is there for!
Susie has remarkable markings. The heart on her chest, and her mustache are precious!
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Thank you, Jan, for your support on this site and for the sweet compliment on Susie's appearance. She has little white paws too which are cute. Your baby, Tina, is very pretty as well!
 
Marje and Gracie said:
You will probably get addicted to posting there! Among many advantages, I find that posting the BGs in the subject line allows experienced members to potentially pick up on something that you don’t see or understand. It’s happened before. I think posting every day also encourages support and friendship; members get used to seeing you and Susie there and there is just so very much to learn by posting on others’ condos and having them post on yours.

I hope the syringes come tomorrow! I will look at them immediately.
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According to the latest tracking information I believe you will get the syringes today. I will just "eyeball" the 1.25 dose tomorrow until you get a chance to send the calculations. By the way, when you get a chance, can you insert the line in the spreadsheet that indicates Susie switched from Vetsulin to Lantus on March 2nd? I started to try and do it but was afraid I might screw it up. Thanks, again, Marje.
 
Summer and Susie said:
According to the latest tracking information I believe you will get the syringes today. I will just "eyeball" the 1.25 dose tomorrow until you get a chance to send the calculations. By the way, when you get a chance, can you insert the line in the spreadsheet that indicates Susie switched from Vetsulin to Lantus on March 2nd? I started to try and do it but was afraid I might screw it up. Thanks, again, Marje.
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Yes I can do that. Are you out of Vetsulin or can you start Lantus on the 3rd? That gives me time to look at the syringes and do the calculations for you today if the syringes arrive and gives you a day to practice. It would be better to do it that way than to estimate it and potentially end up changing the dose a day later because the syringes are off.
 
Marje and Gracie said:
Yes I can do that. Are you out of Vetsulin or can you start Lantus on the 3rd? That gives me time to look at the syringes and do the calculations for you today if the syringes arrive and gives you a day to practice. It would be better to do it that way than to estimate it and potentially end up changing the dose a day later because the syringes are off.
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Hi Marje. I am not out of Vetsulin. My vet told me to start at 1 unit - not 1.25. He wants to be careful during the original transition and I am comfortable with that. I have the lightbox and the lighted magnifying glass so I think I can figure out how to measure the one unit from the syringe. No hurry now on getting me the calculations. I do want to start the Lantus first thing tomorrow morning. Thank you.
 
Summer and Susie said:
Hi Marje. I am not out of Vetsulin. My vet told me to start at 1 unit - not 1.25. He wants to be careful during the original transition and I am comfortable with that. I have the lightbox and the lighted magnifying glass so I think I can figure out how to measure the one unit from the syringe. No hurry now on getting me the calculations. I do want to start the Lantus first thing tomorrow morning. Thank you.
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I sent you the calculations. Really...there is no hurry. Better to start off the way you intend to dose then to chance giving her different doses on two days because you are measuring differently.
 
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