5/3 Max PMPS 392

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Supermax (GA)

Supermax (GA)

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Looked like a a few happier numbers during PM. This schedule is as good as it's going to get. I have no one to check numbers during the day, My husband works from 5am - 8pm. All I can do is a few night numbers, we both get up early, so by 10pm it's lights out. At best is more numbers during a weekend...and of course that's when I can get any numbers in at all....this AM (4/5) tried 3 times, blood wouldn't bead, and I did nothing differently than what I did at night when I got 3 good readings. He was sooooooo hungry last night, he just ate and ate.
 
That's a tough schedule! I hope you are taking good care of yourself too. I know how quickly one can become run down when working so many hours and caring for a sick kitty. Lots of folks here are managing their kitties while working long hours though, so it's doable! You just get as many tests in as you can during the times you can and over time the patterns start to develop and you'll be able to sort of "read" what may be happening during the hours you can't test. Don't get frustrated if it takes a bit of time to get to that point though. Every cat is different =)

Were you rushed this morning when you were testing? It seems to me that the more in a hurry I am to get out of the house (or get to the next thing on my list) the slower the blood flows or the more stubborn Tugger becomes. Those are the tests that he'll fight with me or it takes three strips and three re-captures (because when I'd let go of him to put the new strip in, he'd haul butt for the other side of the room... or house!) I've learned to get his test before I even think very hard about leaving the house, I take my time and act as if I have all the time in the world even if I don't, I speak softly and sweetly to him and keep myself nice and relaxed. I rub and massage whichever ear I've picked out for the test while I sweet talk him, which serves to help him relax even more as well as getting the blood in his ear moving. Then, once I've got the number all heck breaks loose as I rush around trying to make up the time I lost getting the stupid test ;)

Most days it works... some days it doesn't but more often it does. Deep cleansing breaths help during the testing process if you're feeling yourself get stressed or feel like the clock is ticking and you're going to be late.

You'll get there! You're doing great =) Max will be showing you how much he appreciates all this effort, once his numbers start coming down he'll be feeling better and you see the old Max again, you'll really appreciate all of your sacrifices. :mrgreen:
 
Just dropping in to say good morning and give some moral support. I had a heck of a time getting blood from Spot's ears also, but as Marvie said, slow and easy and relaxed is the key. After a while, the ears will bleed a little easier once they get used to the pokies. I also switched to the Relion Micro, which uses only a tiny amount of blood compaired to the other Relion that I was using. I found this was MUCH better.
You've got a busy schedule and you are doing the best that you can for Max, so don't think you aren't. Just get your tests in there when you can, but always make sure you get the amps and pmps...and try to get one before going to bed.

Have a great day!!
 
Thanks for the encouragement, I'm getting up half an hour earlier (4:30am! sigh) just so I don't feel rushed, and I'm trying to deep breath through the whole thing and being very aware of taking it slow. Every single time I'm finished I catch myself shaking...I think my BG is climbing with all of this :) But last night we really had three good solid EASY!!! yes easy (for Max) reads, the blood came out nicely, everything ws just great and I thought, yes! I got the hang of this. I was so dissapointed this morning. Will keep at it!

Anyway I'm off to stock up on bonito flakes, heaven help me if I run out of a treat right now....my 3 civvies think this is all great fun, all three sit like a peanut gallery watching Max wriggle and howl...and then THEY also get a treat. Snowy, who has never liked Max, thinks it's Xmas (poke him some more Mom...)
 
From one Max-momma to another, you're doing great! :-D Hang in there, it WILL get easier. I promise! I've got a toddler and a baby, and I work full time--I totally understand the frustration and the scheduling issues. Get the tests when you can, and don't sweat it when you can't. Just always test before a shot. Before you know it, you won't even think about testing, you'll just do it as a matter of routine. My Max officially went OTJ two days ago, and let me tell you, it's very ODD not to be testing him! I haven't had to test in the evenings for two weeks, but I still think about doing it before I go to bed! And as Deb said, the ears will bleed easier once they get used to the pokes, and it really does help to use a meter that takes the teeny-tiny amounts of blood. I don't know what you're using, but we used the Maxima AST (available online at hocks.com) and it worked great for us.

Anyway, hang in there! Get numbers when you can on the weekends, and you'll start seeing the patterns. You may even be able to start predicting whether he's high or low based on his behavior. My Max had certain things he'd do when he was high (like laying sprawled in the middle of the living room floor, which otherwise he never does) when he was high. And when he was going too low he was usually extra persistent about cuddling and nudging me--he knew what was up and was telling me to get him some food!

It all seems like a miserable situation when you first get started with this, but really, I promise, it DOES get easier. Testing becomes routine and so does shooting--soon enough neither of you will notice that you're doing it without frustrations!
 
Have you tried the Halo livalittles?? It's dried white chicken pieces & you can break them up--The cats LOVE them--come in other flavors too-salmon, etc--Available on amazon.com & other sites--If I didnt say it--Welcome to lantus land--Max will get better here.
It took me months to BG test, & somehow Moonie survived by urine testing for our first 11 months..Once we started to bg test, it became second nature.
Just keep trying, give a treat while he is getting tested, to distract him, and keep trying--It does get easier!
Have a good day!
 
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