10/23 Rosie AMPS 138 +6 60

[Carol in Chicago]

I'm working on keeping a consistent dose and Rosie is working on staying out of deep water.

So far so good. @Gill & George had questions for me yesterday re: steering with food. I use only LC food unless noted in the SS. I will break out the HC when I see something < 50. For the mid day activity yesterday, Rosie went from 72 to 47 to 51 with no food involved. She got a regular mid-day LC lunch at +6. Yesterday I didn't withhold food, but also didn't push it because I was trying to see how low she would go on her own.

Today she gave me a 65 at +3, I fed a small LC snack and see her at 60 at mid day. She will have a regular lunch and I think this will be nice and smooth today (anti-jinx!).

My only problem is up until these last 1-2 months, I could expect her low to be at +5. Recently that has changed with lows coming much earlier during the day. This is making it hard for me to know what to expect (i.e. is +3 a bottom or just a forecast of a much lower number to come at +6). I am very fortunate to be home with her most days, but don't think I can count on this forever. In addition, I remain nearly blind to what goes on overnight (and depend on a auto feeder for with LC for PM +6 and +9).

Yesterday.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I'm working on keeping a consistent dose and Rosie is working on staying out of deep water.

So far so good. @Gill & George had questions for me yesterday re: steering with food. I use only LC food unless noted in the SS. I will break out the HC when I see something < 50. For the mid day activity yesterday, Rosie went from 72 to 47 to 51 with no food involved. She got a regular mid-day LC lunch at +6. Yesterday I didn't withhold food, but also didn't push it because I was trying to see how low she would go on her own.

Today she gave me a 65 at +3, I fed a small LC snack and see her at 60 at mid day. She will have a regular lunch and I think this will be nice and smooth today (anti-jinx!).

My only problem is up until these last 1-2 months, I could expect her low to be at +5. Recently that has changed with lows coming much earlier during the day. This is making it hard for me to know what to expect (i.e. is +3 a bottom or just a forecast of a much lower number to come at +6). I am very fortunate to be home with her most days, but don't think I can count on this forever. In addition, I remain nearly blind to what goes on overnight (and depend on a auto feeder for with LC for PM +6 and +9).

Yesterday.

This FD thing is SO challenging, Carol. Overall her numbers are great even though she's decided to change her pattern to keep you on your toes. Teasel is on Lev now, feeling very good but my oh my ... it acts far more like an in and out insulin in him than a depot insulin.

 

[Carol in Chicago]

@Kris & Teasel - It is so great to hear Teasel is doing well! I haven't seen a "bouncy" update lately and was wondering. Now I know it is a good news story with him doing well on Lev.

I thought I understood basic FD / Lantus stuff. I was even starting to help newbies, but these last few weeks have made me question everything. Thanks for continuing to look out for us even while you are learning a whole new world.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

@Kris & Teasel - It is so great to hear Teasel is doing well! I haven't seen a "bouncy" update lately and was wondering. Now I know it is a good news story with him doing well on Lev.

I thought I understood basic FD / Lantus stuff. I was even starting to help newbies, but these last few weeks have made me question everything. Thanks for continuing to look out for us even while you are learning a whole new world.

I haven't been posting much for the last month - busy with other things and working at getting Teasel switched to Lev. I've been reading posts off and on but not commenting. Teasel is following his own rule book with Lev so I'm doing my own thing dose wise.

 

[Gill & George]

(and depend on a auto feeder for with LC for PM +6 and +9).

does she get a +9 feed in the daytime cycle too?

It's a little unusual to feed a +9 snack, at this point in the cycle feeding even LC (and Rosie seems to be quite carb sensitive, from comments you've made) can have the undesired effect of bumping the numbers up for PS.

 

[Carol in Chicago]

Hi @Gill & George - Thanks for you continued help! Rosie is routinely tested at +9 during the day. I will offer a snack if she seem interested in food. Today she got 1/4 of a 3 oz can. @Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey asked me about carb sensitivity also, but I don't know how to determine this. She gets only LC unless I have a "take action" number.

The use of the overnight autofeeder started because she was throwing up a small amount of clear liquid prior to breakfast. I assumed empty stomach acid. Do you rhink I should change the timings?

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

Typically a +9 snack is given to cats on a very low dose (approaching OTJ) to help even out their cycle as their pancreas sputters to life. Usually we recommend feeding most of the cycle's food prior to nadir (unless steering is required). I used to feed up until +7 or even +8 if my boys were hungry, as their nadirs liked to jump around and they weren't carb sensitive. Feeding after nadir can dilute the waning effects of the insulin and cause the BG to rise.

Being carb sensitive means the cat responds to a small change in the carb %. For instance, for most cats a food that is 8% would be almost an MC and might raise their BGs. For mine, it didn't make much difference at all. So the question is, if you feed Rosie a food that is 5%, does she react differently than if you feed her something that is 3%, or 8 %?

 

[Carol in Chicago]

Thank you @Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey - very good and concise explanation! My answer to your question re reaction to different carb level is I don't know. Since starting this journey sh has no had a MC food. I have used HC to get her up fast, and I know that works, but I would have to experiment to know if there is a difference between LC And MC.

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

I would have to experiment to know if there is a difference between LC And MC.

It might be worth doing that one day when you are able to monitor and she seems to be having a fairly uneventful cycle. It's good information to have. We advocate feeding the lowest carb% needed, so if, for instance, a 12% brings her up easily, why feed a 23%, which will probably send her into the rafters and could upset the tummy? Conversely, if you know she needs at least 20% to bring her up, you won't waste time giving her 15%.