4/29 Jude | AMPS 288; +2 360; PMPS 153; +4 63; +5 61

[Mary & Jude]

yesterday's condo

If this is a FIC flare we are dealing with, then the bupe doesn't appear to be knocking it out. It is helping, I think, since we've been seeing some lower numbers sporadically, mostly in his p.m. cycles. I have two plans of action at this point: 1) taking Jude back to the vets for another complete checkup to see if there is something else going on (he went for a complete checkup back in February) and/or 2) asking the vet to increase his bupe. The dosing of the bupe is once every two days because the vet is concerned about the residual sedation, and I have to agree that Jude is pretty sedated on the day he gets the bupe and also the two days following. So I'm not sure I'm comfortable with increasing the dosage. The vet said we could go to an every other day dose, depending on Jude's response to the every two days. We've been dosing the bupe every two days since 4/20, and I would think if it is the correct dosage and if it is a flare, that Jude would be seeing some change. Poor fella. Something is definitely going on to drive up his numbers.

Hoping everyone has a safe, noneventful Wednesday!

 

[Staci & Ivy]

yesterday's condo

If this is a FIC flare we are dealing with, then the bupe doesn't appear to be knocking it out. It is helping, I think, since we've been seeing some lower numbers sporadically, mostly in his p.m. cycles. I have two plans of action at this point: 1) taking Jude back to the vets for another complete checkup to see if there is something else going on (he went for a complete checkup back in February) and/or 2) asking the vet to increase his bupe. The dosing of the bupe is once every two days because the vet is concerned about the residual sedation, and I have to agree that Jude is pretty sedated on the day he gets the bupe and also the two days following. So I'm not sure I'm comfortable with increasing the dosage. The vet said we could go to an every other day dose, depending on Jude's response to the every two days. We've been dosing the bupe every two days since 4/20, and I would think if it is the correct dosage and if it is a flare, that Jude would be seeing some change. Poor fella. Something is definitely going on to drive up his numbers.

Hoping everyone has a safe, noneventful Wednesday!

Sending you and Jude lots of healing vines, Mary!
You do such an amazing job with Jude and all your kittes!
Wishing you an easy vet visit with some answers to help him feel much better

 

[Briana + Binx]

I'm sorry things have not resolved after everything you've been trying. Like Staci said, you do such an amazing job with Jude (and all)!

Hopefully another chat with your vet will help you make the decision between your options. If only they could talk to us and tell us what's going on with them! Besides being sedated on bupe days, how's the rest of his behaviour?

Also, not that you've asked for anything and I'm completely shooting out whatever comes to mind, but do you think having a Libre sensor on would help at all determining the peaks and valleys to see if they shed any light... I'm just so curious why his PM cycles are so nice and then he spikes again during the day.

Sending healing vines and hugs

 

[Mary & Jude]

I'm sorry things have not resolved after everything you've been trying. Like Staci said, you do such an amazing job with Jude (and all)!

Hopefully another chat with your vet will help you make the decision between your options. If only they could talk to us and tell us what's going on with them! Besides being sedated on bupe days, how's the rest of his behaviour?

Also, not that you've asked for anything and I'm completely shooting out whatever comes to mind, but do you think having a Libre sensor on would help at all determining the peaks and valleys to see if they shed any light... I'm just so curious why his PM cycles are so nice and then he spikes again during the day.

Sending healing vines and hugs

His behavior is completely normal other than the sleepiness.

Listen, I'm always wide open for suggestions, so jump in here, and thanks for the input! It's possible that he might be dipping. I try to stop testing once I realize he's flat or going up at night. The Libre just seems like such a problem and so glitchy, but maybe it's something I should consider. I might try and do a curve at night this coming weekend (if I can fit it in--I'm going out of town on Saturday)? And, I will definitely grab some a.m. +6-ish tests since it looks like his nadir is hitting later in the a.m. cycle than it has been being. These cycles are so strange to me. Look at 4/24: what should have been his nadir (or at least close to it) at +5 was 100 points ABOVE the preshot. What the heck is that?!? I can't make heads or tails of his pattern.

I might have to wait until next weekend to do some of this monitoring. I'm going to a concert on Saturday that is about 3.5 hours away, and I'm going to have to miss his Saturday p.m. shot. I can't find anyone to test/shoot, and I never go anywhere because of him, but I really want to go to this concern. So, Jude's going to miss a shot.

 

[Briana + Binx]

His behavior is completely normal other than the sleepiness.

Listen, I'm always wide open for suggestions, so jump in here, and thanks for the input! It's possible that he might be dipping. I try to stop testing once I realize he's flat or going up at night. The Libre just seems like such a problem and so glitchy, but maybe it's something I should consider. I might try and do a curve at night this coming weekend (if I can fit it in--I'm going out of town on Saturday)? And, I will definitely grab some a.m. +6-ish tests since it looks like his nadir is hitting later in the a.m. cycle than it has been being. These cycles are so strange to me. Look at 4/24: what should have been his nadir (or at least close to it) at +5 was 100 points ABOVE the preshot. What the heck is that?!? I can't make heads or tails of his pattern.

I might have to wait until next weekend to do some of this monitoring. I'm going to a concert on Saturday that is about 3.5 hours away, and I'm going to have to miss his Saturday p.m. shot. I can't find anyone to test/shoot, and I never go anywhere because of him, but I really want to go to this concern. So, Jude's going to miss a shot.

It's great his behaviour is normal, above all else. I know cats are good at hiding pain, but you'd have to think that there'd be something to indicate even a little bit otherwise!

The Libre definitely isn't ideal. Even when I used it recently for Binx, I couldn't quite make out what his curves were doing and they will be different values than your used to so it is likely not worth it... but your idea of an evening curve or something might be good (I know that's a brutal one though, tough "sleep"!!). 4/24 was definitely a weird one and it even looks like any time he hits a green around PM cycle, his AM trends upwards. I'm looking at 04/21, 04/24, 04/27 and then today. It's strange though, because like you said, it's not like he seems to be going lower at night... and Jude hasn't been so spike from greens before too.

You are totally fine and valid to miss that Saturday shot. It's a lot of weight to carry, always adjusting your life and schedule and it can be a tough decision but sometimes we even have fur shots that are the same as missing and we see them bounce back. If you're willing to travel 3.5 hours for this concert, sounds like it's something you need to go too!!

 

[Karolina & Nestle]

Sending some vines your way and I truly hope you can figure this out somewhat soon. I know you take such wonderful care of all your kitties
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Happy Wednesday