8/20 Charlie PMPS 419 +3 367 +5 281 +6 299 +8 389

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charliesmom

Member Since 2012
Post from 2 Days ago

Hi guys,

Sorry I didn't get the time to post a thread yesterday. I had quite a few headaches last week and also yesterday so I have been a little less active.

I also decided to take this week off of work to be on a little "staycation" to calm the nerves. The sun is shining so I will try to enjoy it while it's here.

Charlie's day yesterday was not the best. Lots of pinks all morning, and then she threw up again around 9:30pm after her evening meal and insulin shot. We gave her the shot at 7pm, went out for a bit, and when we returned, found vomit. Made us real sad as we had secretly hoped that the throwing up was over for good now that her infection is technically gone.

Guess that Charlie is throwing us more curve balls, just to keep us on our toes!

It's very, very hot here these past 2 days (90 degrees fahrenheit), and apartments/houses generally do not have air conditioning. Maybe it's the heat getting to Charlie? Or the new dose is too high? I really don't know.

We will test once more shortly and then go out for the afternoon. This evening will be similar. We'll return home for her PMPS and then leave for a bit, returning after a few hours to try and enjoy moments of this little vacation.

Has anyone else had the experience of feeling trapped in their house, since they're too afraid to leave their little one home alone in case something happens? How do you ever find the balance? Even though I am going to try to go out today, I know I will not be completely relaxed with this little one constantly on my mind.

Technical question for those who might know the answer. A friend on the board pointed this out and I'm wondering your thoughts:

Is it possible that Charlie's volatile numbers could have anything to do with the Lantus from her morning and evening shots overlapping each other -- that is, the peak and the duration of the Lantus for Charlie? For most cats Lantus produces it's peak effect (resulting in the nadir) at +5 or +6, then gradually fades out over a total of about 12 hours (give or take) with some overlap into the next cycle but not much. So for most cats, a twice daily injection schedule is perfect. But if you read the literature, it says that the peak effect for ultralente insulin (of which Lantus is one) varies with the cat -- and can be anywhere from +4 to +16 hours (instead of +5 or +6 nadir), and the total duration of the effectiveness can be anywhere from 8 hours to 24 hours (not just 12 hours that is typical for the average cat). Maybe, when we see the green numbers, could this be a result of the doses overlapping each other -- because Charlie's metabolism does not clear the insulin as fast? Because of the extent of the overlap, is there any possibility that a daily dose would work better for her? The literature says that twice daily dosing is appropriate for MOST cats, but that every cat is different.
 
Re: 8/20 Charlie AMPS 344 +3 398

I'm sorry Charlie threw up again. I am sending her tummy feel better vines.

I hope you get to enjoy your staycation. It sounds like it's pretty hot, there though. I think the heat can affect how cats feel and their energy level, and sometimes affects their appetites too.

Personally, I have never felt trapped in my house. I work my social life around my cats shot schedule and if that doesn't work I bring my cat with me. Maybe you could find a petsitter to help you when you want to get away for a bit.

I think 99.5% of cats do better with twice a day dosing, and once a day dosing is generally only used in rare cases where the cat is very very close to going into remission. I think Charlie should stay with her twice daily shots, for now.
 
Re: 8/20 Charlie AMPS 344 +3 398

Healing vines for Charlie's tummy that she feels better soon. It has been hot here this summer with 36 days over 100 F and about 10 over 110F. Luckily we have AC. However, I can see a difference in Tarragon's numbers with the heat even with the AC on, so I think that could be affecting Charlie.

It does feel that way at first. You will learn your cat and be able to loosen up a little eventually. It is a hard thing to get used to though, especially if you were used to being gone a lot. Hugs to you! I hope you find that balance that works for you.

I'm not sure on your other question but I can see how that would be possible. I'm sure others will chime in and Dyana already put in her thoughts.

Have a great great stay cation!!
 
Re: 8/20 Charlie AMPS 344 +3 398

I agree with Melissa. In the beginning, I would watch Gabby like a hawk. I'm still cognizant of her needs but I have a much better grasp of her patterns. I have my shot schedule arranged around my work schedule and I know when it's generally safe for me to go out and not have to worry.

Are you certain that the vomiting is a sign that Charlie is sick? I've had cats who just seem to have a tendency to throw up every so often. They were fine.

Regarding your question pertaining to insulin, I'm not sure what your source is. Can you link it? FWIW, Ultralente isn't a type of insulin. It's a brand of insulin - Humulin U. It was discontinued some time ago due to it's unreliability. The other issue that I don't think you've quite wrapped your head around is the concept of overlap. You want overlap and carryover. Overlap is your friend. It's what gives Lantus its long, flat "curve." Otherwise, the insulin would "run out" and you'd have big peaks and valleys. You're beginning to see some of those flat curves. I suspect that you're wanting to see quick results. Sorry for the hackneyed phrase but Lantus and probably all of feline diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint.
 
Re: 8/20 Charlie AMPS 344 +3 398

Sorry to hear Charlie is throwing up. We noticed all our cats vomit more since the switch to only wet food, working theory is wet food has less fiber so they vomit to get rid of hairballs. Its been hot here too, we usually have AC but storms caused lengthy power outages, after several hours with no electricity the house got very warm and I think the cats shed more. We gave Jasper and Pepper a bit of canned pumpkin and that seems to help them. Pixie wont eat it and she presents her nightly hairball performance, yuck.
I understand about feeling trapped in your house, I definitely have days where I feel like I have to stay close, plan my day around testing, and can't plan to go far in case he gets a low number. That homing instinct is easing as I see Jaspers patterns and have an idea what to expect. I hope you will also be able to relax more, staycation sounds great!
 
Re: 8/20 Charlie AMPS 344 +3 398

Hi guys .. I'm sorry that charlie was throwing up for you last night .. I hope that was the last bout of it! I did feel trapped in the house with mocha .. I don't have an outside of the home job, so I was here with her pretty much 24/7 but even quick trips to town for a loaf of bread would throw me into a panic .. but eventually I had to overcome that fear because Peter really likes bread :lol: It does and will get easier! I hope you have a nice staycation!
 
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