3-11 Nico 540AMPS, 440 +2, 468 +4
- Thread starter Tyleete
- Start date
No you aren't failing. 
. He's bouncing, his body isn't used to the low 300's he got yesterday during the day. Plus his Lantus depot is still building. This is the hardest part, the waiting. We offer out patience pants quite regularly here. 
Did you get that +3 last night? I don't see any thing on the spreadsheet.
I strongly recommend that you take a look at the Sticky Note on Dosing Methods and decide if you want to follow the Tight Regulation Protocol (TR) or the Start Low Go Slow (SLGS) dosing methods. TR will allow you to increase faster towards a good dose, but requires at least the two preshots plus one other test each cycle (AM and PM). I'd love to see you do TR, at least for now, if you can swing it. Mostly to get him out of these higher numbers faster. Not everyone can or wants to do TR. It's a personal choice, with your goals for Nico and your lifestyle.
. He's bouncing, his body isn't used to the low 300's he got yesterday during the day. Plus his Lantus depot is still building. This is the hardest part, the waiting. We offer out patience pants quite regularly here. Did you get that +3 last night? I don't see any thing on the spreadsheet.
I strongly recommend that you take a look at the Sticky Note on Dosing Methods and decide if you want to follow the Tight Regulation Protocol (TR) or the Start Low Go Slow (SLGS) dosing methods. TR will allow you to increase faster towards a good dose, but requires at least the two preshots plus one other test each cycle (AM and PM). I'd love to see you do TR, at least for now, if you can swing it. Mostly to get him out of these higher numbers faster. Not everyone can or wants to do TR. It's a personal choice, with your goals for Nico and your lifestyle.
Tyleete
Member Since 2025
I couldn't get him last night. He was actually running from me. I already had the lancet hanging out of my mouth, so I guess the mistake was mine. I gave up after 2 times trying to get him.:/No you aren't failing.
Did you get that +3 last night? I don't see any thing on the spreadsheet.
I strongly recommend that you take a look at the Sticky Note on Dosing Methods and decide if you want to follow the Tight Regulation Protocol (TR) or the Start Low Go Slow (SLGS) dosing methods. TR will allow you to increase faster towards a good dose, but requires at least the two preshots plus one other test each cycle (AM and PM). I'd love to see you do TR, at least for now, if you can swing it. Mostly to get him out of these higher numbers faster. Not everyone can or wants to do TR. It's a personal choice, with your goals for Nico and your lifestyle.
I read through those, the TR & the slowgo method. It was a little confusing for me. I'm already doing the 2 preshots plus 2-3 others throughout the day/night. Hate it, but we're doing it. So if you think that will help my little guy better, I'm all for it. I've been staying right here in the bedroom with him that last 3 days, as that's what I read. You have to keep a close eye on them for the first 3-5 days. Since being diagnosed and not feeling well, he's decided he doesn't want to stay in the main part of the house, so stays in my bedroom/bath area. He's got 3 girls in here that he (falsely) believes adore him.
And I just hang out here for at least the first 5hrs, then in and out visiting with him for an hour at a time. So I can do whatever maintenence is needed and watch him too. Does this mean I don't need to be poking him as often as I have? I did a Amps, +2, & +4 so far today. Figured he didn't need anything in between now and his PMPS with the numbers in the 400's today. I know it'll take time, especially since it's a depot line. I guess I just got stars in my eyes when he hit that low 300 yesterday morning. Then to go back to 400's again.Today only makes his 3rd full day on the Glargine. I do need patience pants.
His first day on Lantus, you only did 3 tests, hence the question on how much testing you can do. For today, he's on his way up so you can wait until PMPS for the next test. The 4 tests per day with TR are a minimum, but more is needed if you see his numbers diving down. Periodically it's useful to do more test, sort of like a curve, to try to figure out his onset and typical nadir. Over time, both of you will figure out how he's using the Lantus, and you'll start to see patterns over a few cycles that can make your testing more strategic.
You don't need to actually keep a physical eye on him all the time, just test periodically. You might want to read this post, what we all relate to in the beginning: Dear Mom/Dad (letter from your kitty)
You don't need to actually keep a physical eye on him all the time, just test periodically. You might want to read this post, what we all relate to in the beginning: Dear Mom/Dad (letter from your kitty)
Tyleete
Member Since 2025
I read that letter yesterday and it's cute. I was just worried about a possible drop. I think the article I read about watching them closely for the first few days referred to the same. Making sure they don't go hypo. I try not to drive him too batty.
As for the testing, does the 'tests' include the amps & pmps? Only meaning I have to stab him on average another 2-3x a day/night? If so, I can manage that. Is there a greater risk of them going hypo using the TR method?
I remember reading if you see the numbers go too low, that you have to test every 20min after getting sugar/carbs in them? And then every hour after to watch over them? I think that's what I read.
I'm actually falling asleep here sometimes doing research into both this and my other girl's ailment.
I averaged around 5-6 pokes per day while following TR, especially once I had a better understanding of Neko's cycles. More pokes if she was going too low. It also helped to have a good understanding of how she responded to carbs, at different parts of the cycle. Early in the cycle when insulin is stronger, more carbs are needed. Later, after nadir, not as much. Some people are testaholics, and you'll see some spreadsheets with a lot more data.
There is a tradeoff with TR, more pokes helps to keep them safe as it is a more aggressive method than SLGS. I've seen some people use TR to get blood sugar values into a better range, then back off. I've also seen people start with SLGS, get frustrated by the lack of progress, then switch to TR. You don't have to pick one method and stick with it forever.
There is a tradeoff with TR, more pokes helps to keep them safe as it is a more aggressive method than SLGS. I've seen some people use TR to get blood sugar values into a better range, then back off. I've also seen people start with SLGS, get frustrated by the lack of progress, then switch to TR. You don't have to pick one method and stick with it forever.
Tyleete
Member Since 2025
Wait, I'd have to poke him 5-6x every single day?
I honestly can't see doing that the rest of our lives. He's getting more anxious about me getting his ears, and I can't blame him. There's only a small area on each ear that can be used, and I've got to be hitting the same spots every couple days, the poor luv. He didn't used to, but begun jerking his head away when I'm trying to do it. I figured there would come a time I could get away with maybe 3 at the most.
I'll have to go back and read and hope to understand the differences in the 2 different styles better, to understand more. I'll go try that now.
Might be something in this post to help: Testing and Shooting Tips
There were times when Neko was begging for a test, I thought she would be low. Nope, just wanted the treat.
But there was the odd time, where she was low. She learned that asking for a test, brought her food and that made her feel better.
There were times when Neko was begging for a test, I thought she would be low. Nope, just wanted the treat.
But there was the odd time, where she was low. She learned that asking for a test, brought her food and that made her feel better.
diabetic_blue
Member Since 2025
You're doing great!
You're taking great care of him, and like Wendy says, you need your patience pants. Here's mine
, and while you're putting them on, check out Diabetic Blue first two weeks on Lantus on my sheet and compare that to Nico's numbers. You'll soon see progress and he'll be doing so much better.With Lantus it's also when I started testing him more, and like you, I was so scared and feeling sorry for poking his ears so many times a day. Keep calm, they smell our fear/anger, and it's fine if you skip a test now and get it 15 minutes or an hour later.
But make sure to always reward him, even when you fail, and don't make it tense, otherwise he will associate the testing with your attitude.
As for him going hypo, just take your time with dozing and don't rush things. Here's a a great older thread and a great post that had helped me understand that it is worse for him to stay high all the time than to risk going lower.
It did not stop me to stay awake when Blue was going under 50s in the middle of the night, but I was at least more relaxed.
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Tyleete
Member Since 2025
Oh my gosh. Ok, I've been using neosporin on his ears, and that thread said it's toxic to cats? I don't have anything else on hand to help that. Do I need an rx like was posted for his ears?Might be something in this post to help: Testing and Shooting Tips
There were times when Neko was begging for a test, I thought she would be low. Nope, just wanted the treat.
And have you ever tried giving the shots in different locations? Wondering how easy (or not), that would be.
Just grabbing fur on the side and injecting? As for the TR verses slow, I think I need to look at more spreadsheets. The one I looked at above, Diabetic Blue scared me. All the ups and downs with the insulin amount? One day 1.5, next 0.5? How do you even learn what to do next with all that bouncing around with units? If didn't make a lot of sense to me. And I did reread the page about how-to with TR. It made just as much (or little) sense to me the 2nd time around. I like to think I have a scientific mind, but it really didn't make any sense to me. I do want him to get in the green numbers as soon as possible, but absolutely don't understand it. You'd said some people get their cats to good numbers and then get off that roller coaster. If that's possible, that sounds good. I get the slow not working fast enough, but didn't read that part again. The slow go process.
Oh my gosh, I keep falling asleep reading everything.
Just did a +3 and his numbers have barely moved. Are all diabetic cats supposed to eat little meals throughout the day? Just wondered if that might be what's holding him back. He eats at 7,9:30,11:30, 7 and 9:30. And yet no mastery how much I feed him, he's always 'starving'. I know you said patience is key, but I have never excelled at that throughout my life. So I'm trying. But today he looks like he's nearly going backwards.
diabetic_blue
Member Since 2025
Which 0.5 between the 1.5 scared you?
I only started TR on 10/06.
The 0.5 on 10/03 was because I chickened out. It was the first time shooting that low for me at the time and I did not want to put him in any danger. I also did not want not to shoot at all.
The 0.5 on 10/13 was quite a surprise, and as per TR we don't shoot under 50. He wasn't there yet, but not far from it, so I decided to give him what's called a token doze.
I only started TR on 10/06.
The 0.5 on 10/03 was because I chickened out. It was the first time shooting that low for me at the time and I did not want to put him in any danger. I also did not want not to shoot at all.
The 0.5 on 10/13 was quite a surprise, and as per TR we don't shoot under 50. He wasn't there yet, but not far from it, so I decided to give him what's called a token doze.
Tyleete
Member Since 2025
I'm so sorry, I'd meant to write you too. Thank you for showing me that, but yeah, it did scare me looking at it. Weekday freaks me out is all the up down with the units given. For one, I only have syringes that show whole and half. How do you find, much less even see 0.25 0.75?
But I'm not knowledgeable to just go back and forth like the AMPS & PMPS written on your ss. That's what scares me.
And how was your Amps & PMPS so low? Even having gone down from earlier?
diabetic_blue
Member Since 2025
You're thinking of too many things, all at once. Just take it one step at a time.
I know it is difficult to choose which protocol to follow. I was the same. Then some members suggested that with the amount of testing I was doing, TR would be a good fit. And it was!
I wanted to show you Blue's SS not to intimidate you, but because you were thinking you were doing something wrong. You're not! Our first two weeks were also a mess, mostly blacks and red. And then things started moving and Blue started rushing down the dozing ladder.
I use a 3X watchmakers magnifying glass for dozing, but sure, it won't be exactly 0.25 or 0.75. I do use calipers to confirm and I am quite close most of the time.
Rather than thinking of exact numbers, think of consistency! As consistent as possible dozing and time.
Your pre-shot numbers will also go lower! Just take your time. Both yours and Nico's. And try to relax, everyone here will do their best to help you and your boy get through this!
I know it is difficult to choose which protocol to follow. I was the same. Then some members suggested that with the amount of testing I was doing, TR would be a good fit. And it was!
I wanted to show you Blue's SS not to intimidate you, but because you were thinking you were doing something wrong. You're not! Our first two weeks were also a mess, mostly blacks and red. And then things started moving and Blue started rushing down the dozing ladder.
I use a 3X watchmakers magnifying glass for dozing, but sure, it won't be exactly 0.25 or 0.75. I do use calipers to confirm and I am quite close most of the time.
Rather than thinking of exact numbers, think of consistency! As consistent as possible dozing and time.
Your pre-shot numbers will also go lower! Just take your time. Both yours and Nico's. And try to relax, everyone here will do their best to help you and your boy get through this!
Tyleete
Member Since 2025
Thanks! What do you mean by using calipers? Never heard of that for this before. And yeah, I'm probably getting in my own way for sure, but I'm dealing with a couple cat emergencies at once right now. Usually I'm granted one at a time. But he was diagnosed with diabetes the 1st of October, then my eldest cat was just diagnosed with small cell lymphoma last week. And my cat that went into quick remission (so I never had to deal with all of this), it's acting out of sorts and get numbers, while still in ok shape I think, have climbed higher than hey normal recently.
And to think my little boy has probably had this since March or April of this year, but we didn't know. Not till he kept losing the weight and the doc checked. So he's been in the black for a very long time. We're both good about his shots and he also takes his asthma inhaler at the same time (he's asthmatic on top of everything else), but his little ears have to be hurting by now. The fact that he tries to stop me now goes to show that. How does one not prick the same area, especially the more you test? If nothing else, for that reason I don't think I'll be doing the tr method. Unless I can do what Wendy said. Get him to a good spot and then switch? I have trouble sticking him 5x a day. There's no way I could do some of what I've seen here, like 8-10 or more.
One thing I really don't understand is I've seen low numbers, and sometimes a cat will go up in dose, instead of down? It seems very confusing to me.
To answer a couple questions, see: Dosing with calipers (optional)
I am on my third cat with small cell lymphoma, current one was diagnosed in 2018. Neko was number 2 with that diagnosis. There is a groups.io forum on feline SCL that is quite helpful.
A favour to ask, we request people start a new post for every day that they post, with a link to the previous one. This prevents threads getting really long and hard for someone to catch up.
I am on my third cat with small cell lymphoma, current one was diagnosed in 2018. Neko was number 2 with that diagnosis. There is a groups.io forum on feline SCL that is quite helpful.
Define "low". If a cat doesn't go under the reduction point for the dosing method they are using, you don't reduce. The goal with TR is to get a cat tightly regulated. Just the odd green number doesn't fit that definition. You want to keep increasing until you get that fitting dose.
A favour to ask, we request people start a new post for every day that they post, with a link to the previous one. This prevents threads getting really long and hard for someone to catch up.