12/4 Mikey, PMPS 525 ++3.5 180 +4 160 +4.5 132

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Marycatmom

Marycatmom

Member Since 2014
Good Morning!
Yesterday: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=129371

My class is in music class! I should be hunting for Christmas crafts, but I'm soo tired from the midnight wake up call, that I'm taking a tiny break. Bring on the coffee! I intended to set the alarm for 2:00 again last night, but somehow that didn't happen. I really wish I had that +8 reading. Next time I will set two alarms rather than counting on resetting one.

This morning I put in my first ADW (not sure those are the right initials) order. I got strips, syringes, and wipes. One of the most stressful things about this for me has been having to go to Walmart. My choices are go to a smelly, filthy one near by or drive a half an hour. Either way, I have to wait in a long line twice to get strips. My time is already eaten up enough by this. Having supplies come to my door will be a huge relief.

Don and I had a talk last night, and he feels strongly (and I agree) that part of the problem we're having is inaccurate dosing. Between the unreliable syringes and my unreliable eyeballs, we really don't know how much insulin Mikey is getting. So, it's time for calipers. (Are you with me, Mike?) Hopefully our new syringes will come on Saturday. Don is going through Marje's videos and post and will figure out just how to measure accurately. Once he has it figured out, he will teach me. He hasn't been comfortable eyeballing such a small dose, so I've had to be home for every shot. This way we will both be able to do it, and the dose will be much more accurate.

Time to grab my class! Recess is next, and, cold as it is, I can't wait to get outside. I'll check back when I can.
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, AMPS 232, +1 221

Marycatmom said:
Good Morning!
Yesterday: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=129371

My class is in music class! I should be hunting for Christmas crafts, but I'm soo tired from the midnight wake up call, that I'm taking a tiny break. Bring on the coffee! I intended to set the alarm for 2:00 again last night, but somehow that didn't happen. I really wish I had that +8 reading. Next time I will set two alarms rather than counting on resetting one.

This morning I put in my first ADW (not sure those are the right initials) order. I got strips, syringes, and wipes. One of the most stressful things about this for me has been having to go to Walmart. My choices are go to a smelly, filthy one near by or drive a half an hour. Either way, I have to wait in a long line twice to get strips. My time is already eaten up enough by this. Having supplies come to my door will be a huge relief.

Don and I had a talk last night, and he feels strongly (and I agree) that part of the problem we're having is inaccurate dosing. Between the unreliable syringes and my unreliable eyeballs, we really don't know how much insulin Mikey is getting. So, it's time for calipers. (Are you with me, Mike?) Hopefully our new syringes will come on Saturday. Don is going through Marje's videos and post and will figure out just how to measure accurately. Once he has it figured out, he will teach me. He hasn't been comfortable eyeballing such a small dose, so I've had to be home for every shot. This way we will both be able to do it, and the dose will be much more accurate.

Time to grab my class! Recess is next, and, cold as it is, I can't wait to get outside. I'll check back when I can.
Click to expand...

I think a lot of us can relate to the Walmart experience. I too I have one that is less than 5 minutes away that I avoid because its always busy, gross, and out of stock. We drive to a less crowded, cleaner, and almost always in stock one about 12 mins (I know.. such a first world problem) away and usually have a great experience. These two stores are like night and day.

I agree with the dosing and this is something that was on my list. Using Marje's video, my plan is to use my micrometer to figure out how many mm's are in 1u for my particular syringe. Once I figure this out, I'm going to do the math and find the measurements for .75,.50,25. Instead of holding up a micrometer to the syringe each time, I'm going to create a set of "feeler" gauges for each measurement. I saw this idea somewhere on here but can't find the link.

The feeler gauges may be constructed from something as simple as a used test strip that's snipped down to the exact width and labeled for each dose amount. I'll post some pictures when complete. Or.. perhaps someone can reference the thread that I am thinking about.

Edit: So making feeler gauges proved to be too intricate of a task for my shaky hands. I'm just going to use the caliper for now...
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, AMPS 232, +1 221, +9.5 390

I'm guessing Mikey went low today while I was at work and is now bouncing. Could be I gave a fur shot too, I suppose. I hate not having information. Any opinions?
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, AMPS 232, +1 221, +9.5 390

Mike were you able to figure it out with the caliper? What type of syringes are you using again?
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, AMPS 232, +1 221, +9.5 390

Marycatmom said:
Mike were you able to figure it out with the caliper? What type of syringes are you using again?
Click to expand...

BD Ultra thin. Why? No particular reason. It was just what the pharmacy had and I didn't have time to research and was desperate. They seem to work just fine.

Yes, I figured it out. I'm going to start using it as of tonight.
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, PMPS 525

I suspect Mikey didn't get any insulin this morning. The syringe didn't feel right again. I became more aware of the difference when I drew up tonight. Both non-fur shot fur shots had a common denominator too. On both I thought I'd drawn up .1 and didn't have to screw the plunger down to get the right dose. Until Don figures out the calipers, I'll be "over drawing" every dose and screwing the plunger. Man, I'm annoyed with myself! Now if we can just avoid another appearance on the diving team. Sometimes I think Mikey wants to go to the Olympics.
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, AMPS 232, +1 221, +9.5 390

Websterthecat said:
Marycatmom said:
Mike were you able to figure it out with the caliper? What type of syringes are you using again?
Click to expand...

BD Ultra thin. Why? No particular reason. It was just what the pharmacy had and I didn't have time to research and was desperate. They seem to work just fine.

Yes, I figured it out. I'm going to start using it as of tonight.
Click to expand...

Cool! Do those syringes have half unit markings? You may be hearing from us as we figure it out! :lol:
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, AMPS 232, +1 221, +9.5 390

Marycatmom said:
Websterthecat said:
Marycatmom said:
Mike were you able to figure it out with the caliper? What type of syringes are you using again?
Click to expand...

BD Ultra thin. Why? No particular reason. It was just what the pharmacy had and I didn't have time to research and was desperate. They seem to work just fine.

Yes, I figured it out. I'm going to start using it as of tonight.
Click to expand...

Cool! Do those syringes have half unit markings? You may be hearing from us as we figure it out! :lol:
Click to expand...

Yes, they have half units. 3/10ml cc, 5/16" length, 31 gauge. UPS# 8290844003 if that helps.
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, PMPS 525 +2 332, +3 215 advice needed

MIKEY!!!!! YOU TURKEY!!!!

He's falling too fast. I gave him 8% at PS and 3% at +2. He's eating some 8% now. Do I need to break out the honey or gravy to slow him down? Brat.
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, PMPS 525 +2 332, +3 215 +3.5 180

180 at +3.5. Feeding a bit more 8%. Bracing for a bounce. You know it's coming with our RB. Ugh. I can't win.
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, PMPS 525 +2 332, +3 215 +3.5 180

I don't have anything new to help with this, but think you've got a handle on these danged big drops.

Wendy uses the BD ultra fine that you're talking about and likes them. I only bought from ADW and loved them. No complaints.

No one used calipers when I started and I never switched to them. With a high dose kitty a little bit of difference isn't as important as it is for a very insulin-sensitive kitty. But I can suggest that if you or your husband have trouble seeing the syringes, try reading glasses, and if one pair isn't enough, you can stack 2 pair on your nose. You will look ridiculous, but the syringe markings will be crystal clear. :lol: One of my quilting friends does that and I totally teased her about it . . . right until i tried it for the syringes when i had to give punkin R in tiny doses. See if that helps. If either of you wear prescription glasses, you can stack the readers on top of the glasses.

Good luck tonight! At least the weekend approaches. :roll:
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, PMPS 525 +2 332, +3 215 +3.5 180

Mikey could be a bit insulin sensitive. lololol I have worn glasses for seeing near since I was six. I'll definitely try adding readers on top of them. My vision is horrible.
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, PMPS 525 +2 332, +3 215 +3.5 180

I'm not doing too well right now. Not with Mikey, with me. I'm hanging on for +4. There is a chance I will have to abort the cycle. If that happens, how much HC food do I give him? Hoping he's slowing down enough that it will be ok.
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, PMPS 525 +2 332, +3 215 +3.5 180

Wendy uses the BD ultra fine that you're talking about and likes them.
Click to expand...
Wendy lives in Canada and BD has a monopoly. I found out someone I know was getting a different brand from the vet, and paying $60 for a box. Think I'll still to the OTC BD's for now. :roll: Not so much that I like them, as I've learned to live with them. I use a magnifying glass. I've also seen people use magnifying head lamps.

Sorry about that fur shot/dive. Looks like Mikey really wants to go to Rio for the next Olympics. :roll:
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, PMPS 525 +2 332, +3 215 +3.5 180 +4 160

I don't think we can know how much HC to abort a cycle for Mikey. He's no where near dangerous numbers - it looks like he's slowing down the speed of the drop. You've just got 20 points in the past half hour. It's one of those things that is different from cat to cat. It would be ideal if you could get him slowed with LC, but i don't know if that's sufficient for him.
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, PMPS 525 +2 332, +3 215 +3.5 180 +4 160

I have him some more 8%. I feel a bit better, so I think I can hang in. Thanks, Julie. It is so unbelievable that .1 units of insulin could have this big an effect. Even if the syringe wasn't accurate, he got a tiny dose. Our next vet visit will be very interesting, although I'm in no hurry to get him in. Other than the shock value... :lol:
 
Re: 12/4 Mikey, PMPS 525 +2 332, +3 215 +3.5 180 +4 160

Tonight Marje filled me in on what the five P's are. Pee, check. Poop, check. Purr, check. Preen, check. Play, wait, that would involve staying awake! :lol:
 
132 at 4.5. What a crazy free fall. All I can thing is what if I was not here??? Scary thought. I ended up giving Mikey a little more 8%, and this time I did put a drop of honey in it. I'm not sure that was the right choice, but I am concerned that he may fill up and start refusing to eat soon.
 
Hey Mary. I've noticed that you mentioned fur shots a few time. I was going to mention that the vet shaved 4 areas on Webster so that I could see what I'm doing. While it's not the most attractive site, it enables me to ensure that I'm hitting skin.

I'm not sure how Mikey will handle you breaking out the clippers. I'm certainly worried about having to shave Webster again because I know that when I turn on the clippers he's headed straight under the bed...
 
Thanks, Mike. The vet did shave a spot on Mikey. Marje's roll method helps too. Unfortunately, I don't think these fur shots are actually fur shots, I think they're accuracy problems. Maybe that's a good thing, since we will hopefully improve accuracy with calipers this weekend.
 
Once you have a little more experience you probably will feel more confident with the shooting. Of course, even experienced people have furshots now and then.

If you both haven't seen it yet, there is a post on shooting/testing tips on this post. Look at the bottom under "interesting posts" for testing and shooting tips. Maybe something there would be helpful.
 
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