5/25 Fred PMPS 481, AMPS 381 Stuck in suck

[Purrberry]

@Suzanne & Darcy Thanks so much for checking up on us, especially when you've got so much going on with Mr. Darcy. I hope he is feeling better today. Fred used to have issues with constipation, and I found that a daily regime of Miralax really helped.

Anyway, no I haven't posted in a while. I am indeed incredibly frustrated. But I figured I'd give everyone a break from me carrying on, and I just haven't really had the heart. I do check up on everyone each day.

As I posted in my last thread, Fred was all over the place after the hypo incident. We had two dose reductions, and I knew the one to 6.5 wouldn't hold. Still, it had to be done thanks to a reading of 74.

While he was at 6.5, he was flat and pink. And though he was too high, he was so much happier and Fred-like without all the peaks and plunges that had been going on. I think those affect him much more than the high numbers. But...numbers were too high. Back up to 7 four days ago, and...nothing. I think we are actually bouncing from yellow now. But who knows? I just can't tell anymore.

I have my bottle of Levemir, but now I want to hold off on starting, as I may be going away for a couple of days this weekend. I don't want to be trying out new insulin during that time. Though I'd only be 90 minutes away, the thought of leaving him terrifies me. I'm trying out a new sitter for the first time as well, and she's not as practiced with testing as my last one, so I only pray it goes well. We're having a trial "out to dinner" visit tomorrow night, I think, so she can get the hang of the routine.

Thanks again...hoping for good days for everyone here.

 

[Jay Dee]

Hi there - no advice, but I understand about not wanting to start a new insulin or change routines when there are unknowns like pet sitting. I'm also terrified of being gone and relying on someone else. We are interviewing pet sitters next week and i like the idea of an "out to dinner" trial once we decide who to use and what their skills are. Please let me know how it goes for you, and good luck with Fred!

 

[Liz & Minnie]

Good luck with the sitter. I completely understand your stress with the sitter. Though my experience was firmly "ok" I am trying to avoid thinking about my next weekend away (which isn't until July!). There again who knows, Fred's numbers may pleasantly surprise you when you get back, and then you can start a fresh new routine on the Levemir. I hope you are going somewhere NICE for dinner tomorrow (nice enough to distract you from worrying about the sitter!!)

 

[Purrberry]

I came up with the out-to-dinner visit early on, because between both my cats, it's quite the routine, now! I think it makes the sitter feel more comfortable knowing I'm close by on the first visit and definitely makes me feel more comfortable knowing they've had a "practice run" before I'm hours away.

Just took Fred's +5, and I'm so frustrated all over again. I don't know what's happening. @Wendy&Neko could you take a look and let me know what you think is going on? The two things I thought it might be...NDW and/or a bounce....don't seem to apply anymore.

Thank you!

 

[Liz & Minnie]

You have LOTS of sympathy from me on the "what is happening" situation. Especially frustrating when they get your hopes up with those teaser greens followed by same old, same old. I think it's a good thing you are taking a couple of days away, should hopefully distract you from his numbers - as long as you don't check the s/s all the time! And I remember you are using the AT - when I switched to the Freestyle Lite, Minine's numbers 'went down'. She was the same but it really helped my sanity to see fewer reds - I just reviewed, hardly any reds since moving to the Freestyle. Don't know how much credit I give to the meter change vs the increasing dose.

Fred's ketones are low and appetite is good, right? We have paws crossed that the Levemir switch is successful AFTER you have a RELAXING WEEKEND! (and a nice dinner out tomorrow)

Now hopefully someone with more experience can help with the science.

 

[Jay Dee]

I need to start following your threads more closely. I could have written this - from the NDW/bounce to change in meter to change in insulin...

Big hug for common situation, maybe I could use a dinner out too! Enjoy and yes get your mind a break!

 

[Tina Marie (GA) and Jan]

Fred, give your mom a sign that all will be ok. I adore the name Fred!

I am a pet sitter for others, but don't currently have one for myself, other than my husband. My household has six cats and a dog - only Tina is complicated. I really feel for you. The only times I failed to give a cat insulin, were with two different tortie girls. Both owners knew it would be a long shot, and I kept them informed. One Tortie girl did get 2 injections and 3 fails. They didn't know me ahead of time either.

I never had problems with funny - solid colored cats - a gray girl, a white and a black male. And I did know those kitties before injecting or testing.
Best of luck and planning. You Must be able to have a good break!!

 

[Purrberry]

Thank you all for your replies. The whole petsitter thing is such a conundrum because I had one I used for YEARS. Before pandemic and diabetes, I traveled quite a bit, including two over two-week trips to Australia and 2 weeks in Kenya for my honeymoon. She understood me and the cats and how I completely helicopter, and was like one of the family. But though she was able to give insulin, she couldn't test, and she couldn't do the 12 hr apart visits. I had to go on the hunt.

The first sitter I used was a vet tech, so I thought that would be great. She SEEMED great. But it really didn't work out. The second sitter I found was also a former vet tech, and she was amazing. Sadly, after I used her for a week's trip to Florida, her own dog became quite ill, requiring all her care. (which of course I understand!) So now tomorrow will be the third. I'm really crossing my fingers she works out. It's hard on the cats, for they are shy by nature, and I know stressful to have different people tending to them.

You have LOTS of sympathy from me on the "what is happening" situation. Especially frustrating when they get your hopes up with those teaser greens followed by same old, same old. I think it's a good thing you are taking a couple of days away, should hopefully distract you from his numbers - as long as you don't check the s/s all the time! And I remember you are using the AT - when I switched to the Freestyle Lite, Minine's numbers 'went down'. She was the same but it really helped my sanity to see fewer reds - I just reviewed, hardly any reds since moving to the Freestyle. Don't know how much credit I give to the meter change vs the increasing dose.

Ah, thank you. I know how much you have gone through as well! I did switch to a human meter for a bit, and I was like, "Wow...his numbers are so much better!". But then my vet wanted me to switch back to AT to see the "real" picture, and I caved. Perhaps it would do me a bit of mental good not to always see such ugly numbers. He is eating well, and while he does have some ketones present, they are usually low.... .1-.3-ish. He once had .8 and I freaked, but they went right back down to .1 after dinner. He's a good drinker, which is a plus. (and he's going to turn his Mom into one...lol!)

I could have written this - from the NDW/bounce to change in meter to change in insulin...

I think we DO have a lot in common with our cats! I've been very glad to see Snuggie's progress on Levemir.

I adore the name Fred!

Thank you. He came from the shelter with that name, and we knew it just fit him perfectly!

Thanks again for the out to dinner wishes. I am looking forward to it....until I get the call from the pet sitter that she can't test/they won't eat/he's hiding for the insulin/a Martian has landed..lol!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

could you take a look and let me know what you think is going on?

He needs more insulin. It's the nature of insulin resistance, that a dose that was working, no longer works. NDW happens in only the first few cycles, he's long past that. When you have cycles with no second test after preshot, a bounce is possible, but in this case, I don't think so.

I can't remember if you double tested that 74 you got on the 17th. It's seems really odd for him to drop from 168 to 74 so quickly after. Anyway, for us here, the "real picture" is what comes from a human meter. It's what we are used to.

One thing you'll really like about Levemir is the later onset. With Neko it was +5, but it's typically +4, ECID of course. Anyway, I could test, feed, shoot, load up the autofeeder and be away for a nice dinner. Maybe even a movie - remember when those used to be a thing? But it's a good plan to wait for the switch until you are back. Just something to look forward to.

 

[Purrberry]

Thank you @Wendy&Neko. It's what I figured was the case, but it is so frustrating to see a dose that worked so "well" before (about as well as Fred does) be SO resistant this time around.

Here's my question, though. If I fast track and increase him tomorrow to 7.5, I'm then potentially away for about 48 hours from Saturday-Monday. (it's Memorial Day weekend here in the States..our unofficial/official kickoff to summer weekend) Given how he reacted when I last traveled, I'd want to reduce him. I remember when I left for Florida, he needed an increase, but I chickened out on it because I was going to be away. In that case, I'm glad I did, b/c he tanked. Should I still increase for 3 days, only to decrease while I'm away?

One thing you'll really like about Levemir is the later onset

I'm a little fearful that this is the one thing I WON'T like about Levemir. Fred is at 9:30/9:30, as I am more of a night owl. His Lantus onset is generally around +2, though he nadirs late, so it really works for me to be able to test him at +2 right before bed. Then I can tell a bit more about what might happen. I'm concerned with Levemir, his onset will be when I usually can wake to test him...around +5 or 2:30-3AM, and I will miss the PM cycle nadir. Fred is a slow metabolizer in general, though, so maybe he'll oblige me by having shot time nadirs. We'll see!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

No problem increasing for 3 days, as long as you can test as you have been. That'll give you the data to see how that dose is doing, and also keep him in better numbers.