1/27 Crystal - first day on Levemir, thoughts please

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suki & crystal (GA)

Member Since 2014
It's Crystal's first day on Levemir (12u) having changed from Lantus (16.5u). I know it's probably too early to see the results but her levels have been practically static all day (between 350 and 370), is this how Lev works? Would be grateful for any comments.

She is still limping but not so badly. Unfortuantely vet not in until Friday. In the meantime I have started her on Omega-3 oil mixing one capsule with her breakfast as an anti-inflammatory.

Hope those in the path of the storm are coping okay and keeping warm, best wishes from the other side of the pond.

Suki & Crystal
 
The first few cycles after a switch, you are depleting the Lantus depot and building the Lev depot. Hard to say much after the first cycle. Some cats see an immediate reaction, which is why we say 70% of the old dose.

Some kitties go a lot flatter on Levemir. Neko is one of those and so was Cobb. But that's at lower numbers. But there are also some great Lev bouncers. High and flat means not enough insulin. If Crystal is still flat and pink after the 4th cycle, then it's time to increase again.

Good to hear that Crystal isn't limping as badly. The fish oil I use now comes as a liquid with a dropper, much easier to serve. I too started out with capsules.
 
Yes, stick with a one unit increase every four cycles, until you see blue. How is she acting/behaving? Notice any difference with Lev? Some do, some don't.

For anyone lurking, this is a dosing plan only for Crystal, who has a high dose condition called acromegaly.
 
Thanks for confirming dose Wendy, and also for pointing out to others about her acromegaly, it did cross my mind that others might think OMG what is this person doing to her cat!

Crystal has had a quiet day, but then so have the other three, not venturing out much, just claimed the most comfy chair and spent most of the day there. Eating okay though, but levels the same as yesterday, still high so will go with an increase tomorrow morning. Paws crossed!
 
I put something in my signature not to follow what I do for dosing, even though what I'm doing now is mostly following TR. It's always a concern that new people lurking might not understand the reasons for why we do something for cats with high dose conditions.

I'd wondered about how Crystal was reacting to the Lev, cause I have heard of some changes when switching. It didn't make any difference to Neko, but some have seen personality changes. And for some cats, the higher doses of Lantus can sting.

Good luck with the increase.
 
haven't noticed any changes in her behaviour, still a sweet obliging little girl but likes to get the odd nip in when dosing, but maybe that was down to the sting of Lantus. Will keep a check on how she behaves over the coming days. (Have now add a dosing caution to my signature)
 
But there are also some great Lev bouncers.

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Pretty sure she means Tess!
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;) I think I use the same fish oil, it's called Nordic Naturals. I don't know if you can get it in Europe. Tess isn't crazy about it, but she really hated the capsule one. The nice thing is I can just squirt it in her mouth.
 
Hey Suki,

Just popping in briefly. Flat is good! Especially as the depots fill and empty.

Paws crossed Crystal likes the Lev and starts coming down for you!

~Suzanne
 
glad to see the first day down - i hope her BGs start to respond before long. We have seen some cats have a dramatic response to the new insulin, but i'm thinking that was when people had the same dose when they switched.
 
This bean and her acro kitty send giant-sized beams of light and bushels of vines for you and Crystal on the Lev switch.

We've been using Lantus from the get-go so can't do anything to help, but sure can watch from the sidelines and cheer.

Marilyu and Polly
 
Hi Tess, Suzanne, Julie and Marilyn - thanks for looking in and sending Crystal good vines. I increased her dose this morning to 13u, much the same levels as over the first 2 days so I will just keep plugging away increasing every 4 cycles. Crystal seems to like the smell of the fish oil so no problem with her taking it mixed with her breakfast. It was increadibly expensive here so I've got a friend going to the UK next week and I've asked her to bring me some Omega-3 capsules back, about a 10th of the price! Unfortunately DH was with me and had a bit of a rant about the cost of all this medication. When I told him what the options were he was okay, he loves her very much too, but it is a big financial commitment to take on a high-dose kitty, sigh ...
 
I started using the R insulin last night at + 10.5, It did bring him from pink to yellow at PS.
Didn't use this morning because he was below 250. Will see how we make out tonight.
We are hanging in there. Peg and Toby
 
Hi Peg, glad to hear the R is working for Toby, I can't open your ss though to have a look how you are doing, but send good vines that he continues downward. We obviously have a couple of kitties who don't want to rush things, Crystal is a proper little girl and likes pink too much!
 
Yes, Suki, it is a big financial commitment. But it's worth it! I can't tell you how many times my DH was like, "it's HOW much?" But he just handed over the credit card and just shook his head. Lol.
 
Hi Suzanne, I agree, Crystal is worth every Euro, she has given us so much pleasure over the years with her special friendship so it's the least we can do for her now - who needs new shoes anyway!

Just opened the back door to find a tail and one hind leg of a mouse left on the doormat as a present, how sweet.
 
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