? 8 Nov | Girlie | Help: do 2 reductions in 1 day? AM +4=67 PMPS 112; PM+2=65 AlphaTrak2

[Girlie's mom]

Condo: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...31l-pmps-635-2-565-yikes.186413/#post-2070108

The 1.25 U has kicked in, and I just feel in my gut that she's going to dive down today; it'll be interesting to see if that happens! I'll cross my fingers and hope for steady blues and greens, though...

Max ate his slurry last night, but he won't eat this morning and isn't okay again; pain and other meds from yesterday have worn off. Poor boy. If it is a fractured jaw, that would be bizarre: I have no idea how that could have happened. I go with the abscess or something else as a more logical explanation.

Here's Max (I did not pose this photo!):

And Max providing comfort after my second hip replacement (sweet boy):

 

[Girlie's mom]

Thanks for the acupuncture info on my condo yesterday. It will definitely be something I discuss with Dr. P tomorrow.

I know how frustrating this whole dance can be. Especially when you are not seeing "progresss" but you are, sure it is slow, but it is still progress and like you said, vet was impressed on how she was doing.

The 6th year anniversary of my dad's death was 10/31. And my Aunts is upcoming on 11/14 (4 years). She was like a 2nd mom to me after my mom passed in 1985. I miss her so much. I hope you can get some rest. Things always seem worse when we are tired.

@LizzieInTexas : I'm so sorry to hear about your dad's and your Aunt's passing, and close together, anniversary-wise. Somehow, losing a parent makes you feel like an orphan - no matter how old you are! I'll think of you on the 14th. People say it gets easier with time, so I hope so...

I really hope Gizmo will sit still for the acupuncture. I know my Max would kick up a storm! But maybe Gizmo will surprise you...

 

[Stacy & Asia]

Some blues! Yay! I hope she doesn't dive today. Max is so sweet! Is he going to the vet today? I hope it's nothing serious and he's feeling better soon.

 

[Girlie's mom]

Some blues! Yay! I hope she doesn't dive today. Max is so sweet! Is he going to the vet today? I hope it's nothing serious and he's feeling better soon.

He is so sweet - one of the sweetest characters I've ever met. He's going to the vet for sure today as he won't eat again and it's clear that he's in pain and something is wrong.

Girlie's in green already: not diving too badly, but you know when you just get this feeling? We'll see where she goes...

 

[Stacy & Asia]

I blinked and she's green! Girlie doesn't like to waste time.

Hope they sort Max out and he's comfortable and eating again, keep us posted.

 

[Girlie's mom]

I hope Max doesn't have a broken jaw! Ouch!! I hope Levemir is the answer for Girlie. And here's a for you.

Thank you for the hug! Fingers crossed the vet will give me the Levemir and Max is okay. He's a tough cookie, though.

 

[Girlie's mom]

And we're off! +2:30 = 68 (take action number on AlphaTrak2). I gave her 2 tsp of 14% gravy as she can be hard to bring up when she dives this low and this early in her AM cycle.

 

[Stacy & Asia]

And we're off! +2:30 = 68 (take action number on AlphaTrak2). I gave her 2 tsp of 14% gravy as she can be hard to bring up when she dives this low and this early in her AM cycle.

Oh no, Girlie, work it out! I hope they give you the Levemir and it makes some positive changes for Girlie.

 

[Christie & Maverick]

Those blue starts can be so misleading! Sometimes they just stay flat (or rise), I see Girlie had some shark action in mind . I agree at this early point with 68 on AT2, HC was a good idea. Keep us posted, I can be your timer if you want...ding...time for a test

 

[Girlie's mom]

She's with the sharks: 67. Well, looks like she didn't want to stay at 1.25 Units after all...

Gave her 2 tsp 14% gravy

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

Hi Darrah,
what a good cycle for Girlie! And so gradual, not droppy at all!

That gravy you 've fed will be out in less than an hour, in most cats, ECID, of course.

I hope you are able to take another test in 25 in or so...

Next meal is more likely LC - numbers contingent, of course..

 

[Girlie's mom]

97 @ +4:30: giving 2 tsp 12% FF Beef

Good news: Max ate some slurry. But his jaw is still really tender and he now has what looks like KY jelley (clear, thick liquid) coming out of his nose. Life is very entertaining in my house at the moment! I'm still in my PJs with all of the excitement, but trying to have fun dashing from patient to patient...

 

[Girlie's mom]

Hi Darrah,
what a good cycle for Girlie! And so gradual, not droppy at all!

That gravy you 've fed will be out in less than an hour, in most cats, ECID, of course.

I hope you are able to take another test in 25 in or so...

Next meal is more likely LC - numbers contingent, of course..

When she goes into shark territory, I go into a weird time warp where I kind of lose my ability to think clearly. I gave her 6% at +3, but I probably should have given her a MC food instead, which is why she probably dove down again at +4. So even though she's up at +4:30 from the gravy, I'm giving her some solid 12% to see how she goes with that over the next 1/2 hour. The instructions say HC food, and LC won't bring her up this early in her cycle (from past experience), so I've gone with MC. Fingers crossed this will bring her up and she'll even out.

 

[Stacy & Asia]

97 @ +4:30: giving 2 tsp 12% FF Beef

Good news: Max ate some slurry. But his jaw is still really tender and he now has what looks like KY jelley (clear, thick liquid) coming out of his nose. Life is very entertaining in my house at the moment! I'm still in my PJs with all of the excitement, but trying to have fun dashing from patient to patient...

Darrah, I'm so sorry, you are handling it with grace. I hope things calm down at your house very, very soon.

 

[LizzieInTexas]

Hoping Girlie surfs for you. How is her appy?

What happened to Max? I must have missed it. Poor baby.

when it rains it pours

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

The instructions say HC food, and LC won't bring her up this early in her cycle (from past experience), so I've gone with MC.

of course you know better, and you are doing truly well!
But with the 97 @ +4.5 I'd go with high LC (reason : it clears the system faster) with perhaps another dash of gravy MC on top.

 

[Girlie's mom]

Hoping Girlie surfs for you. How is her appy?

What happened to Max? I must have missed it. Poor baby.

when it rains it pours

Girlie's appy is okay now, and it's always good when she goes swimming with the sharks. Interesting, though: I had to give her Mirtazapine capsules (rather than the usual compounded liquid) for a few days in a row, and she was one hungry little monster all the way past dinner time. With the compounded liquid, she's hungry for a short burst in the morning and then that peters out by mid-afternoon. I wonder why there's such a difference in appetite response, as they're both supposed to be the same. Are compounded liquids weaker, somehow?

Max has decided that he wants some extra TLC so he's jumped on the "I can be a drama baby, too" train. He's either got some kind of hidden abscess or a fractured jaw (how, I wouldn't know), or something else. He wouldn't eat and had strange thick, semi-clear liquid coming out of his mouth and now his nose this morning. Very entertaining indeed. He has finally eaten his slurry this morning, though.

I'm just very glad that I can work from home today! Not that I'm getting much work done, but that's okay: I'll make up for it later tonight.

 

[Alicia & Maggie (GA)]

Vetty vines for Max. LOVE the hugging picture. Much better than the picture of Max lying on top of Girlie! Girlie's looking good this cycle.

 

[Girlie's mom]

+5: 104 (12% food)
+5:30: 158 (wouldn't eat 6% or 4% but ate 1%)

Reducie tonight.

 

[Girlie's mom]

Vetty vines for Max. LOVE the hugging picture. Much better than the picture of Max lying on top of Girlie! Girlie's looking good this cycle.

He can't be feeling THAT bad right now: he was just pretending to commit indecent acts upon her person. She looked very long-suffering about it all, so I shoo'd him off her. He's neutered, but every once in a while I think he tries to remember what might have been the good old days. Shameless!!

 

[Bronx's dad (GA)]

your gut was right to trust, you know Girlie well!

 

[Alicia & Maggie (GA)]

He can't be feeling THAT bad right now: he was just pretending to commit indecent acts upon her person. She looked very long-suffering about it all, so I shoo'd him off her. He's neutered, but every once in a while I think he tries to remember what might have been the good old days. Shameless!!

Naughty boy!!

 

[Susan&Felix(GA)]

Wow, Darrah, I hope things get a whole lot more boring for you soon!

Wishing healing vines for Max, bluish greens for Girlie, and some good rest for you.

 

[Girlie's mom]

Naughty boy!!

He's VERY BAD, but I gave him a break today as he's not feeling well... feeling something, though (HA!), so I told him he wasn't going to get extra TLC and special attention for being sick if he carried on with these shenanigans. He gave me a look that only a cat can...

Wow, Darrah, I hope things get a whole lot more boring for you soon!

Wishing healing vines for Max, bluish greens for Girlie, and some good rest for you.

Thank you! At least I got half out of my PJs today: that's an improvement. Given that Girlie will get a reduction tonight, I think I'll get some extra sleep in, too...I hope.

Max is eating but still has a wonky looking mouth that is really tender. I reckon he's got an infected tooth or something. I'm not telling him yet, but he's going to the specialist dentist tomorrow: yikes! Shhh.....

 

[Girlie's mom]

Girlie ended up having a really nice day after her swim with the sharks. It was an utter relief not to see anything higher than yellow all day, and even at AM+11 she's still blue at 119. I almost wish she hadn't earned a reduction, so we could stick with the higher dose for a little longer, but it appears that she wants a reduction, so there you go. And she went for it even after I gave her 14% gravy at +2, so it looks like she was determined to go down. I'm listening, Girlie!

 

[Stacy & Asia]

Girlie ended up having a really nice day after her swim with the sharks. It was an utter relief not to see anything higher than yellow all day, and even at AM+11 she's still blue at 119. I almost wish she hadn't earned a reduction, so we could stick with the higher dose for a little longer, but it appears that she wants a reduction, so there you go. And she went for it even after I gave her 14% gravy at +2, so it looks like she was determined to go down. I'm listening, Girlie!

Much nicer colors, Girlie!

 

[Girlie's mom]

I hope Max doesn't have a broken jaw! Ouch!! I hope Levemir is the answer for Girlie. And here's a for you.

Darrah, I'm nosy... What kind of work do you do?

I'm officially called a Senior Learning Designer: I help teachers take their face-to-face classes at TAFE and adapt them so that they'll work online and keep the students engaged and keen. I design the course and help translate/adapt what works face-to-face into what works online. TAFE is kind of like a community college/vocational college in the U.S. but it offers academic courses (business, IT, veterinary nursing, childcare, etc.) as well as trades (painting, decorating, construction, surveying). I've been able to work from home for a while because I'm still recovering from ankle surgery (kinda recovering: I've been pushing the "recovery" envelope because of Girlie, to be honest...)

I have a Master's in 19th century British Literature; I started my doctorate but then fell in love with a Berliner and moved to Germany. There I had my favourite job so far: I taught freshman English and critical thinking and writing at the University of Maryland in Berlin, Germany. The majority of my students were American soldiers, with some Air Force on occasion. It really opened my eyes in many ways, and I left with a great deal of respect for those young men and women.

At heart I'm an academic and a teacher. I've also spent a lot of time teaching English as a Second Language to migrants and refugees, which I've always found tremendously rewarding; I love helping and also learning about different cultures and different perspectives.

And now I'm working on getting a certificate from my vet that declares that I'm an honorary veterinary nurse because of Girlie. Ha! Not likely, but a girl can dream, eh?

 

[Girlie's mom]

Much nicer colors, Girlie!

If only she'd stay like this for more than 24 hours, eh? Yes, she's looking lovely today; it's so nice to see something other than high, high numbers. Good Girlie! That's what we want to see!

 

[Girlie's mom]

First time this has happened: shark dive AM+2 (68) and +4 (68) and now PM at +2 (65). She's on AlphaTrak2, so 68 is the take action number and reduce.

I did reduce her shot from 1.25 to 1.0 Unit tonight.

What does this mean and what do I do in the morning? Do I reduce again in the AM to 0.75?

Yikes, Girlie! Slow down!!

 

[Girlie's mom]

99 @+2:30: gave another 1 tsp 16% gravy as she can be hard to keep down when she drops this low into shark territory this early in the cycle

No idea what dose to give in the morning...would really appreciate some feedback from an experienced person. I know you're all still asleep now, though!

 

[Girlie's mom]

Doing a PJ party here - slow down, Girlie!

I'm afraid I'm a little too tired to think straight right now, so any advice would be appreciated. She had an AM shark dive, so I reduced her PM shot. Now she's had another shark dive, so I don't know what to do in the morning: reduce again?

PMPS 112 (1.0 Unit)
+2 = 65 (16% gravy)
+2:30 = 99 (16% gravy)
+3 = 169 (6%)
+3:30 = 160 (no fud)
+4 = 131 (12% 1 tsp)

Not sure whether I should have given her the 12% just now, but she was going down, not up, and it's still early - just PM+4 - so I thought I'd err on the side of caution.

 

[Girlie's mom]

135 @ +4:30 after the 12% a half hour ago. She only went up a little bit. Not sure what to do...

 

[LizzieInTexas]

135 @ +4:30 after the 12% a half hour ago. She only went up a little bit. Not sure what to do...

Nice numbers. Trust your knowledge. You know how she responds to what % of carbs. I would be a bit conservative and see if she will surf. You don't want to shoot her numbers to the moon (HC does that to Gizmo so unless he is being really hard to get up I use primarily MC food).

 

[Girlie's mom]

Nice numbers. Trust your knowledge. You know how she responds to what % of carbs. I would be a bit conservative and see if she will surf. You don't want to shoot her numbers to the moon (HC does that to Gizmo so unless he is being really hard to get up I use primarily MC food).

Good point. Problem now is that she's not interested in food: she just wants to go to sleep. Sigh.

It could be the depot at play. Back-to-back reductions rarely hold. I would stay with the 1.0u as long as you can monitor. Remember shoot low to stay low. Nice cycles today .

I can't monitor tomorrow morning, unfortunately, as I have to take Max to the vet and then do a presentation at work. Yikes, yikes, yikes. Hmmm...Girlie, you do my head in!

 

[LizzieInTexas]

I can't monitor tomorrow morning

Are you using a timed feeder? You said if she is dropping or low she is food motivated so she may eat from it if "needed" You can always carb her up really good before you leave (though that always makes me nervous so i understand).

 

[Girlie's mom]

Are you using a timed feeder? You said if she is dropping or low she is food motivated so she eat from it if "needed" You can always carb her up really good before you leave (though that always makes me nervous so i understand).

She hasn't taken to the timed feeder yet. The problem with that is, that she's a grazer, and she won't really go looking for food unless her numbers really dive. She also prefers sunning herself on the verandah to eating; one day I went out to check her, and she was 48 on the AlphaTrak, without a care in the world, choosing sun over food. Silly girl.

I can really carb her up, but then I'll be away for four hours during the time she's most likely to dive. Leaving her MC food would be better, then, I guess, than doing a BCS in the AM, I take it?

I would have thought that she'd bounce from the AM drop; perhaps tomorrow? But then she could do one of her super duper dives, just for fun.

 

[LizzieInTexas]

can really carb her up, but then I'll be away for four hours during the time she's most likely to dive. Leaving her MC food would be better, then, I guess, than doing a BCS in the AM, I take it?

I hope @Marje and Gracie will weigh in. I am not sure with Girlies wild cycles .

One thing I have found is trying to not look too far past the next test. It is one of the most difficult things for me with dealing with this crazy disease. I am a planner and patience is not my strong suit. Plus I don't have a lot of time to think things through with my schedule of shooting. I guess worst case would be to skip but hate to see you lose momentum - but safety first. Can you put the feeder where she suns?

 

[Alicia & Maggie (GA)]

I see you're in the thick of it again, but I wanted to thank you for taking time to tell me about your career. Wonderful having an interesting and rewarding career, for yourself and others.

 

[Girlie's mom]

I see you're in the thick of it again, but I wanted to thank you for taking time to tell me about your career. Wonderful having an interesting and rewarding career, for yourself and others.

Now I get to be nosy! What do you do?

This is all helping me stay awake until the timer goes off again...poor Girlie isn't going to have any ears left by the time this is over with!

 

[Girlie's mom]

I hope @Marje and Gracie will weigh in. I am not sure with Girlies wild cycles .

One thing I have found is trying to not look too far past the next test. It is one of the most difficult things for me with dealing with this crazy disease. I am a planner and patience is not my strong suit. Plus I don't have a lot of time to think things through with my schedule of shooting. I guess worst case would be to skip but hate to see you loose momentum - but safety first. Can you put the feeder where she suns?

I'm with you there re: patience being tough. I'm not a fan of patience pants.

Unfortunately, if I put the feeder on the verandah, the ants will get at it rather than Girlie, and with the sun on it, the food won't stay good very long, I don't think.

It seems like you're able to get a lot of tests in, which is great! Are you able to work from home sometimes?

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Good point. Problem now is that she's not interested in food: she just wants to go to sleep. Sigh.

I can't monitor tomorrow morning, unfortunately, as I have to take Max to the vet and then do a presentation at work. Yikes, yikes, yikes. Hmmm...Girlie, you do my head in!

If Girlie is low in the morning why don't you take her to the vet when you go with Max. That way you can monitor her and intervene if necessary.

 

[LizzieInTexas]

If Girlie is low in the morning why don't you take her to the vet when you go with Max. That way you can monitor her and intervene if necessary.

I love people that think outside the box

 

[Girlie's mom]

If Girlie is low in the morning why don't you take her to the vet when you go with Max. That way you can monitor her and intervene if necessary.

Such a great idea, Bron, but I have to leave Max at the vet's and then rush to work to do the presentation and then go back to get Max. Work wouldn't let me bring her in. And the ARH vets keep asking me, "who's your local vet?" The ARH became my de facto vet back in 2013 when Girlie decided to give arthritis, idiopathic epilepsy, and asthma a go, all in one year. But they only saw me once or twice a year; I guess it's different now that Girlie has diabetes and is proving to be a bit of a challenge.

I've tried asking three local vets and asking about diabetic cats, but they really have so little knowledge. And they've never even heard of Levemir: they only use Lantus. So the ARH is just stuck with me, I'm afraid, for the moment. At least they're willing to give me a script for the Levemir.

 

[Girlie's mom]

Just a practical question: How do you just quote a sentence of what someone has said and break it up with your own reply, and then continue on with their next statement? Marje did this in yesterday's post, and I've always wondered how people do that...

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Just a practical question: How do you just quote a sentence of what someone has said and break it up with your own reply, and then continue on with their next statement? Marje did this in yesterday's post, and I've always wondered how people do that...

You just highlight the section then press reply.

Am glad you were able to get the levemir script.
Hopefully Girlie won't be too low in the morning......worst case senario.....leave her at the vet with Max....go to work...then pick them both up on the way home

 

[Alicia & Maggie (GA)]

Now I get to be nosy! What do you do?

This is all helping me stay awake until the timer goes off again...poor Girlie isn't going to have any ears left by the time this is over with!

Not a lot anymore, which is good and bad! My DH and I are self employed doing consulting for telecommunications companies. But it's land line long distance, not cellular. So needless to say, that arena has dried up some. Mostly I review other companies' invoices for accuracy, maintain databases, stuff invoices for mailing, etc. Boring, but I love having the personal freedom. What I don't like is having to buy our own health insurance. It looks like it will cost me over $12,000 for insurance in 2018!

 

[LizzieInTexas]

How do you just quote a sentence of what someone has said and break it up with your own reply

Highlight and hit reply then type below the [/QUOTE] then repeat. Highlight another area, hit reply balloon and type your response.

 

[Mandy & Rex (GA)]

Sorry for being a stranger lately.

I have been peeking in on Girlie, but like I said before, she's too much of a challenge for me to try and advise.

With her not holding reductions well, I would stick with 1.0u for the AMPS and see what she does. How long would she be alone?

 

[Girlie's mom]

Boring, but I love having the personal freedom.

Personal freedom ranks high on my wish list right now! It's great that you have that... And super great for miss Maggie, too!

That's an awful lot to pay for insurance. I can understand your frustration...

 

[Girlie's mom]

You just highlight the section then press reply.

Brilliant!!!

Highlight and hit reply then type below the

then repeat. Highlight another area, hit reply balloon and type your response.[/QUOTE]
I love it! Thanks so much - the graphic helped my tired little brain.