? 5/17 Misha--dose opinions?

[Squeakycats]

Hi, Lantus peeps! I'm wondering what you all would recommend for Misha at this point, based on his spreadsheet. I'll be home a lot this weekend, as will my DH, so it would be a good time to make any dose adjustments, do a curve, etc. I know it would be good if I had more daytime data, but I usually just can't get it--I am at work/commuting a lot.

At this point, I'm not sure what I'm "shooting for" (pun intended!):

• Should I be trying to get him to *always* stay in the green range, with no blues, as long as I can do it without ever dropping him too low? If so, does that mean I need to try slightly increasing the dose (back to .1 or something--I have calipers now)?
• Is he already in a good shape and I just need to keep him like this for a while so his pancreas can keep healing? For how long should I do that?
• Is it time for an OTJ trial? From what I'm reading, something like 60-120 is the "normal" BG range for non-diabetic cats...he is mostly within that range now, getting a very small amount of insulin...

Basically, I just don't know what is the next step on the path! I would love to hear your thoughts!

(PS I know whatever anyone recommends is just a suggestion--that there are no "dose advisors"--but I value everyone's knowledge and experience so much!)

 

[Wendy&Neko]

A week of all safe green, ie. above 50 on the Relion, would be your goal before taking the next step, or going to a trial. We have seen cats off of insulin their 40's on a human meter, but we don't want them below 50 to have a small margin of safety. I must admit I am having a hard time going between the two spreadsheets.

Are you giving Misha a small snack around +8-9? When they are on tiny doses and the pancreas is sputtering to life, that small snack can help bring down the higher preshot numbers.

For continuity, your last post here: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/to-shoot-or-not-to-shoot.177787/

 

[Squeakycats]

I've stopped using the Relion meter for now (I've only been using the AlphaTrak)--I should take that spreadsheet out of my signature--sorry!!!

I generally leave him something to snack on during the day, so he may be eating around +8 or +9, but I can't be sure. Hmm. I could try a timed feeder, though he usually defeats them, and that would probably mean not having food available to him before that time, which makes me nervous. But my nervousness is not a great basis for decisions

Actually--would it be easier for folks to advise me if I put the AlphaTrak away for a while and consistently used the Relion meter? I now have the necessary supplies for both.

Hope you are doing ok today, @Wendy&Neko; I've been thinking of you!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

For meters, just pick one and stick to it. You can leave both SS up there, though it's actually easier to see all the data on one page.

We are doing OK. Remembering him with some of my rescue friends. Theo only got close to a few people, but those few were touched deeply. A gentle soul.

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

Actually--would it be easier for folks to advise me if I put the AlphaTrak away for a while and consistently used the Relion meter? I now have the necessary supplies for both.

It is easier for us to advise when you are using a human meter, because that is what our guidelines are written for. HOWEVER, it is important that you be comfortable with which meter you are using. I also recommend picking one and sticking to it - switching back and forth can drive you insane! Most of us use the human meters because AT strips are ridiculously expensive.


Misha is looking great! I really think you are close to a trial - just need to get those PMPS numbers down a tick. It's interesting to see because with most cats it's the AMPS that is the last to go green. Guess Misha just wants to do things his way! Wendy's suggestion about a +9 snack is a good one, but if Misha won't work with a timed feeder, that may be problematic. It might be worth trying. If you have it set to turn at several different times and add water or ice cubes to the later snacks, maybe it would work. Then you leave the last dish empty and set it to turn two hours before shot time, so he doesn't mess up his PMPS with food influence. I'm making an assumption here that you have a five meal feeder. Am I incorrect?

 

[Squeakycats]

I only have a one-meal feeder But I could get a five-meal one. And I could switch to the Relion meter--they seem equally easy to use, and as you say, the AT test strips are SO expensive!!!

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

I only have a one-meal feeder But I could get a five-meal one. And I could switch to the Relion meter--they seem equally easy to use, and as you say, the AT test strips are SO expensive!!!

The feeder most of us use is the Petsafe 5 Meal Feeder. Some Petcos and Petsmarts carry it for much less than the manufacturer charges, or you can order it from Amazon (be sure to use the link at the top of the page so FDMB gets a donation), also for less.