I got a prescription for Glargine for Allie but...

[Breelynne]

So went to the vet Friday for a follow up with Allie (the original vet that I got the diagnosis from).
Tagging @Wendy&Neko since I'm suspecting Acro or IAA with Allie my sugar kitty.

I show up at the appointment and wait in a room no big deal, talked to the vet tech about all the things going on with Allie. Vet comes in I get Allie out of her traveler, she can be fiesty. We weighed her, she holds at about 12.3 lbs (14.1 @ DX in Jan.) and then felt her stomach and looked her over quickly. Never looked in her ears or looked at her teeth. I showed them and emailed my SS so they did not do any blood work.

So long story short, I got a script for Glargine but they are not on board with doing the Acromegaly or IAA tests yet. He wants her to stay on her current dose and also wants me to use an Alpha Tracker meter and strips (human meters are not calibrated for cats blood).
He gave me 2 cans of Hill Glucosupport (he wants her to get a little more carbs)?

Going forward I think I'll call Mark's and have them get me the insulin I'm in FL and summer is coming!
I do have a few great leads thanks to a supporting member here on contacts for reaching out to find out about locating a vet that is more intune with what we need going forward! I need someone that is proactive.

Mark's can hold the script and it doesn't need renewed? I hear the Alpha Tracker 2 strips are being discontinued in September? I don't have any appointments this week I'm hoping it stays that way so I can get to work on locating a more proactive vet. Current vet wants me back on June 2nd to see how things are going with his suggestions.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

You've held this dose way too long. If there is something causing insulin resistance, and there is something since she's at 6 units, you cannot stick to the same dose for long or the resistance will get ahead of you. After some point, I told my vet what dosing method I was following, and gave her a copy of the article on TR. Some members here learn the "smile and nod" answer, then do what needs to be done. Your signature still says TR though the SS says back to SLGS. With SLGS you'd still increase. And if she does indeed have IAA or acromegaly, I can't stress strongly enough keeping on top of increases, or you'll end up at even higher doses due to glucose toxicity.

Why aren't they on board with doing the acro/IAA tests yet? Maybe time to send them a copy of this article. I'm surprised we still see vets who don't want to proceed with these tests, but we still hear those stories. My vet was reluctant too, thought we had to get to 10 units (never did get there). The article linked showed average dose was 7 units for acros in their study, but also some a lot lower. In favour of my vet, this study came out after Neko's diagnosis. I had to beg and plead and ask the vet to humour me before I got it done. The clinic owner called them "exotic tests". Later on he admitted I knew more than he did on acromegaly, yet he was a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, just out of date.

Yes the AT is being discontinued and you can't get their strips starting September - yet another way you are ahead of your vet's knowledge. Unfortunately, there is an AT3 coming out. I would just plead cost. You are going through enough insulin you can't afford more expensive strips, or something that.

I hope you didn't pay for the Hills food. If so, return it and get your money back. Or you can say she didn't like it, or keep it around for HC.

I've heard with Marks you just need to send them a copy of the script (scan it and email) and once is enough. At some point, you may with to consider Levemir - many cats find Lantus stings at higher doses. Marks also sells Lev. I've heard there are generic glargine's available in the US at much cheaper prices, but don't know where. I'm in Canada, about 25 minutes drive from Marks. I think @Diane Tyler's Mom has the information about where to buy cheaper glargine in the US. That way you won't have to worry about summer and heat during shipping. It's currently very warm here.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

s. I think @Diane Tyler's Mom has the information about where to buy cheaper glargine in the US. That way you won't have to worry about summer and heat during shipping. It's currently very warm here.

You can have the vet write the script for generic lantus ,many members use it, The brand is much more expensive, just call around and see who might have the generic
Here is some info
Check this out also
https://www.goodrx.com/insulin-glargine?dosage=five-3ml-prefilled-pens-of-100-units-ml&form=carton&label_override=insulin glargine&quantity=1
The 5 pens will last about a year, we use the pens just like a vial, you would just insert the syringe it the gray rubber stopper on the pen and draw out your insulin
Its generic lantus



Or this one also

I see some members will call CVS, Rite Aid, Costco, Walgreen's, to get the price for 5 pens
Posted by another member
One members posted this
. I paid $175 for a box of 5 pens at Walmart pharmacy, but GoodRX coupon says you can get it for around $90 if you have a Rite Aid pharmacy near you.

I see you are from Florida you can try Publix

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

IF you are following SLGS now can you please see fix that in your signature, you have SLGS on your spreadsheet

 

[Breelynne]

You've held this dose way too long. If there is something causing insulin resistance, and there is something since she's at 6 units, you cannot stick to the same dose for long or the resistance will get ahead of you. After some point, I told my vet what dosing method I was following, and gave her a copy of the article on TR. Some members here learn the "smile and nod" answer, then do what needs to be done. Your signature still says TR though the SS says back to SLGS. With SLGS you'd still increase. And if she does indeed have IAA or acromegaly, I can't stress strongly enough keeping on top of increases, or you'll end up at even higher doses due to glucose toxicity.


Why aren't they on board with doing the acro/IAA tests yet? Maybe time to send them a copy of this article. I'm surprised we still see vets who don't want to proceed with these tests, but we still hear those stories. My vet was reluctant too, thought we had to get to 10 units (never did get there). The article linked showed average dose was 7 units for acros in their study, but also some a lot lower. In favour of my vet, this study came out after Neko's diagnosis. I had to beg and plead and ask the vet to humour me before I got it done. The clinic owner called them "exotic tests". Later on he admitted I knew more than he did on acromegaly, yet he was a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, just out of date.

Yes the AT is being discontinued and you can't get their strips starting September - yet another way you are ahead of your vet's knowledge. Unfortunately, there is an AT3 coming out. I would just plead cost. You are going through enough insulin you can't afford more expensive strips, or something that.

I hope you didn't pay for the Hills food. If so, return it and get your money back. Or you can say she didn't like it, or keep it around for HC.


I've heard with Marks you just need to send them a copy of the script (scan it and email) and once is enough. At some point, you may with to consider Levemir - many cats find Lantus stings at higher doses. Marks also sells Lev. I've heard there are generic glargine's available in the US at much cheaper prices, but don't know where. I'm in Canada, about 25 minutes drive from Marks. I think @Diane Tyler's Mom has the information about where to buy cheaper glargine in the US. That way you won't have to worry about summer and heat during shipping. It's currently very warm here.

I need to compose an email tomorrow to the vet’s office. She has her yeast infection back in her ears and they did not catch it! I am home this week and will bump it up. I will contact Marks tomorrow too. Think once they have the script on file they continue to ship? I just started a new pen tonight so I'll be up a little late to test her about 6 hours in. I'll bump her to 6.5 in the morning. I will redo my signature.

I will attach the article to my email. He told me the tests are over $600.00 but I did not go into the conversation on mailing them myself. That is what I think I'm dealing with out-of-date practitioners.

I'm also going to let him know that the AT2 is obsolete come September and that the AT3 has issues from what I've read.

He gave me a sample; I still have the other food from the other vet sitting here! I emailed them and have not heard back from them.

Well now that makes me wonder if I should get 5 pens if the higher doses sting. If I get it local that script will only be good for that one time and that, is it.

 

[Breelynne]

You can have the vet write the script for generic lantus ,many members use it, The brand is much more expensive, just call around and see who might have the generic
Here is some info
Check this out also
https://www.goodrx.com/insulin-glargine?dosage=five-3ml-prefilled-pens-of-100-units-ml&form=carton&label_override=insulin glargine&quantity=1
The 5 pens will last about a year, we use the pens just like a vial, you would just insert the syringe it the gray rubber stopper on the pen and draw out your insulin
Its generic lantus



Or this one also

I see some members will call CVS, Rite Aid, Costco, Walgreen's, to get the price for 5 pens
Posted by another member
One members posted this
. I paid $175 for a box of 5 pens at Walmart pharmacy, but GoodRX coupon says you can get it for around $90 if you have a Rite Aid pharmacy near you.

I see you are from Florida you can try Publix

Thanks for the links! I know GoodRX has an 800 number that you can call if you have issues getting the insulin at a reduced price for an animal. Once I turn in the script here it is done with but Mark's doesn't do that? Insulin Glargine at Walgreens is $81.30 for the 5 pens! I was paying the vet $75.00 for one pen!
Here is the link hope it is allowed. Explains how to get GoodRX to assist you in getting the prices for your pet.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Lantus doesn't sting all cats at higher doses, but does seem to for the majority. Neko would occasionally walk away when I was shooting Lantus = more fur shots. She purred through the Lev shots. Just keep an eye out for Allie reacting to the shot.

The tests should not cost $600 from Florida. That's outrageous! $68.00 for the IGF-1 and now $21 (gone up!) for the IAA is the cost for the tests from MSU. There is a cost for a blood draw, then shipping, and sounds like your vet is tagging on a huge markup.

 

[Breelynne]

Lantus doesn't sting all cats at higher doses, but does seem to for the majority. Neko would occasionally walk away when I was shooting Lantus = more fur shots. She purred through the Lev shots. Just keep an eye out for Allie reacting to the shot.

The tests should not cost $600 from Florida. That's outrageous! $68.00 for the IGF-1 and now $21 (gone up!) for the IAA is the cost for the tests from MSU. There is a cost for a blood draw, then shipping, and sounds like your vet is tagging on a huge markup.

At 6 units every once in a while I see her wince a tad but I give the spot at rub tell her what a good girl she is. It could be the angle I shoot at too sometimes, just don't get it right all the time.
Ah the dreaded fur shots! At least I have not shot myself yet! I'm diabetic.
I watched your tribute video

Well I bought everything for the shipping and was prepared to ship it myself, guess the vet underestimated my understanding of what is going on but why drag it out? I had the test print outs with me and showed them to him. I'm NOT happy with them.
Thanks so much for helping us through this!

 

[Jacques and Pumpkin]

Lantus doesn't sting all cats at higher doses, but does seem to for the majority. Neko would occasionally walk away when I was shooting Lantus = more fur shots. She purred through the Lev shots. Just keep an eye out for Allie reacting to the shot.

The tests should not cost $600 from Florida. That's outrageous! $68.00 for the IGF-1 and now $21 (gone up!) for the IAA is the cost for the tests from MSU. There is a cost for a blood draw, then shipping, and sounds like your vet is tagging on a huge markup.

I bet this is the IDEXX price. If they’re just reshipping to MSU, it’s easy to see how it gets that high. MSU fees with two markups, two overnight shippings, one marked up twice and one once. And then the blood draw fee.