4/30 Fred AMPS 414..up we go

[Purrberry]

https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...0-1-349-6-412-amps-378-so-discouraged.246340/

Fred is back up to his old tricks. Increased to 7.5u this AM. It's doubly disappointing because we had SUCH a good couple of days. For the first time EVER, Fred had two full cycles in blue! I was over the moon, and thought, "This is it! I've found his magic dose!" I was going to post on the board about it but didn't want to jinx things. Looks like they were, anyway. :-(

Honestly, this doesn't even feel like a bounce to me. Just high numbers for no reason I can discern. He was a bit off yesterday morning but then was ravenous. Whereas he used to feel better in higher numbers, I think he's seen low enough lately that when he is now this high, he doesn't feel well. He actively wants food and eats every bite, so I don't think there's any nausea at play. But I think I'll always worry about pancreatitis flares from now on.

He's sitting here next to my computer, purring and letting me tell him how handsome he is, so he's good for the time being. Just too high.

I know this is not about how little insulin we can give them but wow...these ever-increasing doses are making my head spin!

Hope everyone has a good day!

 

[Sue and Luci]

Sorry to hear about yet another increase - poor thing. I presume you've had or will have tests for ACRO/IAA? Sometimes these kitties need lots more juice than the average bear.

Take a look at @Pamela & Amethyst SS - she's on a high dose - and is quite well regulated in her lovely blues.

 

[Butters & Lyla]

If you know what the signs/symptoms are that indicate Fred might be having a flare and if you have the meds so that you can get on top of it immediately, that should help keep it in control. I know it's not easy. I was looking at Butters as a ticking time bomb for a while, just worrying and waiting for her to have her next flare. But she ended up going six months flare-free so hopefully Fred does the same or goes even longer!!! Now I try not to worry about it and just keep my eyes open for symptoms, which for Butters I have identified vomiting as her first symptom.
Very nice blues but I'm so glad you increased. Best of luck with the new dose.

 

[Purrberry]

@Sue and Luci I did have Fred tested for both, yes, and they were thankfully negative But I swear...I sometimes wonder about the acro...

@Butters & Lyla Thank you..that gives me hope! I've got all his gear ready to go. I think Fred has a day in crazy numbers, and then the vomiting is the first true sign. Hopefully, we won't get there!

On a side note, and I may post this on the main board, has anyone used Duralactin for the purposes of keeping pancreatic inflammation at bay? I use it for Sadie for both her chronic post-SRT rhinitis (she had SRT for nasal lymphoma) as well as arthritis. It REALLY made a difference in her arthritis AND demeanor, and quite quickly. So I've started adding it in for Fred. I wanted to make sure he could handle the dairy component, but so far, he seems OK with it.

 

[Liz & Minnie]

Has there been any talk of switching Fred to Levemir? I don't personally understand the scientific details of the rationale or all the pros and cons, but our internist recommended we switch after 7 months on Lantus with no improvement (though to be fair that was before I joined this group and started trying to manage the diabetes more proactively). I've read about Lantus stinging on higher doses but that wasn't why we switched. I figure by mentioning it, others with better understanding might chime in

Those blues were lovely which makes the reds even more frustrating. Will be watching your progress after the increase!

 

[Purrberry]

@Liz & Minnie I'm definitely planning on having that discussion with my vet. I've about half a bottle of Lantus to go, and at this rate, we'll be through that quickly. I've been a bit loathe to change things up and possibly have to "re-learn" on Levemir, but it does seem to be the better option/choice for high dose cats....especially with the stinging component.

Thank you for checking in on Fred. I always keep an eye on Minnie as well! I hope she's doing well.

 

[Sue and Luci]

@Liz & Minnie I'm definitely planning on having that discussion with my vet. I've about half a bottle of Lantus to go, and at this rate, we'll be through that quickly. I've been a bit loathe to change things up and possibly have to "re-learn" on Levemir, but it does seem to be the better option/choice for high dose cats....especially with the stinging component.

Thank you for checking in on Fred. I always keep an eye on Minnie as well! I hope she's doing well.

Really not much learning to it. We switched to Lev a a while back and it seemed to help with Luci's bouncing - did not eliminate - but I think it might be a bit gentler (if you can explain that one)...and she kinda slowed down on the hard dives and big bounces - but if you were to look at her SS, you'd still see some of her hard dives and big bounces...although I think they're not quite at frequent...perhaps just my biased view? You can always offer up your remaining Lantus on the Supply Closet - I sold my remaining Lantus pens on there as I was also heavily invested and didn't know what to do with all that Lantus. Good luck to you

 

[Wendy&Neko]

has anyone used Duralactin for the purposes of keeping pancreatic inflammation at bay?

I just used it for Neko's arthritis. It seemed to help that quite a bit. She did also have some pancreatitis (part and parcel of her GI issues), so not sure Duralactin helped much there.

It sure looks like you are fighting some type of insulin resistance. I used to call it "the dose going stale". You'd briefly get some good numbers, then "poof" all gone.

I too am a fan of Levemir, so something to consider. And I do remember the first frustrating couple weeks and I had to relearn Neko on the new insulin, but I was so happy I switched.

 

[Purrberry]

I just used it for Neko's arthritis. It seemed to help that quite a bit. She did also have some pancreatitis (part and parcel of her GI issues), so not sure Duralactin helped much there.

I think it's been great for Sadie's arthritis as well. I'll keep it up, since he doesn't seem to mind it, and report if anything seems to help!

It sure looks like you are fighting some type of insulin resistance. I used to call it "the dose going stale". You'd briefly get some good numbers, then "poof" all g

Yep, exactly. And I just don't know why. (though it looks now like his numbers the last two days WERE perhaps a bounce, as it broke last night. Also could be the new dose.

I too am a fan of Levemir, so something to consider. And I do remember the first frustrating couple weeks and I had to relearn Neko on the new insulin, but I was so happy I switched.

It seems like Levemir is what people really seem to like for these high dose cats, and not just for the sting factor. Can I ask why you felt it was also the better choice? Did it, like it did for @Sue and Luci help to ease down the bouncing?

Thanks, all!