1/23 Darcy AMPS 370 Numbers getting higher

Discussion in 'Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars' started by Suzanne & Darcy, Jan 23, 2021.

  1. Suzanne & Darcy

    Suzanne & Darcy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2020
    "I just don't know if I can do this anymore" these are the words that rang in my head this morning when I tested Darcy. It seems like I am just dumping more and more insulin into my cat and things just get worse. I feel like I am harming him. I've also been told that a cat whose nadir is at PMPS is likely getting too much insulin (this doesn't happen every day... in fact, Darcy frequently has no nadir at all since insulin has very little effect on him... if you account for these wacky meters we use and their 20 percent variance... he really doesn't have nadirs anyway... but I'll call it a nadir.) I'm almost afraid to test him today to see what the numbers will be... it gets sooo depressing.

    Most recent post: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/darcy-amps-321.241724/
     
    Suzi and Chicamonkey likes this.
  2. tiffmaxee

    tiffmaxee Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2013
    Who told you that about late nadirs? So NOT true! When it comes to nadir, it can be at any time. When Lantus is at its best you get a flat green cycle without a nadir. Have you tested for insulin resistance and Acro?

    I am so sorry Darcy is not seeing better numbers. I feel your frustration. :bighug:
     
  3. Suzanne & Darcy

    Suzanne & Darcy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2020
    Thanks. I was told if PMPS is the nadir that means dose is to high because cycles are overlapping. Really, I thought there was always some "overlap" with Lantus. Haven't tested yet... am going to as soon as I can actually get a day where I can go to the vet. THANKS!
     
  4. tiffmaxee

    tiffmaxee Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2013
    Overlap is actually a good thing! :bighug:
     
  5. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    You didn't hear that on this forum, cause it's not true. Some cats like to nadir late, like my girl did. Bounce breaking cycles have later nadirs. Cats with certain secondary conditions that cause insulin resistance like acromegaly and insulin auto antibodies (IAA) often have late nadirs. There are lots of reasons for late nadirs that don't involve too much insulin. As long as you start at a safe dose, test enough to know how low the dose is taking the cat, increase by safe amounts, all like you did, then you know it's not too much insulin.

    Some cats need more insulin that others. When a person gets over 6 units we suggest testing for acromegaly and IAA because the chances are pretty high that one or both is present. One in four diabetic cats has acromegaly. There are treatments for acromegaly, so it's good to know if that is what you are dealing with so you can try treatment. In addition, there are side effects that can happen that it's also good to know to look for. Anyway, glad to hear you've got a plan to get the testing done. There might be other tips with dosing we can help you with too.
     
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  6. Suzanne & Darcy

    Suzanne & Darcy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2020
    Thanks, Wendy. I appreciate this reply. I'll try to get the testing done soon, if I can get my vet to go along with it. Is it the IGF-1 test for acro? And then the IAA test. I'm printing out the U. of Michigan forms to take to my vet. Now, as to treatments... other than the stereotactic radiation... what is there for acro? There's some drug... the name escapes me right now... it starts with a P. But I don't know how well that works, what the side effect are, or what the availability of it is (or my vet's willingness to use it).
     
  7. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    Yes, the IGF-1 (insulin growth factor 1) is the test for acromegly. There is a medical treatment called cabergoline that many people here have used. Unless you are super rich, you don't want to consider pasireotide, the other medication. And if you have that kind of money you might as well fly to New York and get hypophysectomy (surgical removal of the pituitary) done. More reading here Cabergoline as a possible treatment for acrocats: discussion It's available at compounding pharmacies.
     
  8. katy and mo (GA)

    katy and mo (GA) Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2020
    Oh I so feel for you. Mo's spreadsheet looks exactly like Darcy's. We are waiting for a specialist appointment on the 2nd of Feb to discuss testing for Acro and IAA. Keep at it, you are doing a WONDERFUL job. I'm here if you ever want to chat or vent :bighug:
     
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  9. Suzi and Chicamonkey

    Suzi and Chicamonkey Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2020
    The funny thing is I’m at 3.25 units with Chicamonkey and I feel like the more I give her the higher her numbers are getting!!!
    I’m in the same boat and I don’t j is what to do
     
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