Best time to test

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Sundance2023 said:
What is the best/preferred time to test after feeding and injection? Wait 1hr; 2hr, 3h or more?
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Usually the lowest BG should be at around 6 hours after the injection, could be at 5, could be at 7. Apparently Glargine is working slowly starting from about 2 hours after the shot.
 
So the first test after injection should be about 2 hours after injection? Or 5 to 7 hours after injection? Looking at your spreadsheet it appears you test before injection/feeding and then not till 6 or 7 hours after, Is that correct and not at all in the PM? I'm still trying to figure out this spreadsheet.
 
If you get a lower than normal preshot and you shoot the full dose, we say to get a +1 or a +2 to see what your kitty has in mind. A test around +3 or +4 will tell you if the cycle is going to be active (that means it will drop down to a lower BG). A test around +6 will give you the nadir or lowest point in the cycle. Remember dosing is based on the nadir not the preshot BG.
Have you thought about setting up a spreadsheet? At the moment we can't tell much from isolated BGs you tell us about. A spreadsheet will help you, help Oscar and help us a lot.
 
I'm working on the spreadsheet but haven't figured out how to use it yet, it seem a bit counter intuitive to me. If you are not recording the time of an event how do you know how many hours it's been, my memory is not that good, maybe I will be on a better routine at some point and will always feed, inject, and test at the same times (counter intuitive to me). But for now I added a time column for me :) Will publish when I am confident I know how to use the spreadsheet.
 
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Sundance2023 said:
I'm working on the spreadsheet but haven't figured out how to use it yet, it seem a bit counter intuitive to me. Will post when I know how to use.
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We also use a spreadsheet to track our cats BG so we know how the insulin is working and how low they are dropping so we know when to either increase or decrease the dose
We adjust the dose by 0.25 units at a time . We don't adjust the dose by going by the Pre Shots

About the spreadsheet
AMPS - means AM Pre Shot the first test you take in the AM ,you need to withhold food 2 hours before testing so it's not food influenced

Units is where you would put how much insulin you gave
+1 is one hour after giving insulin if you were to test then that's where you enter his _BG number
+2 two hours after giving insulin. ditto
+3 and so on until you get to PMPS - PM pre shot withhold food 2 hours before testing

+1 same as you do for AM cycle

We don't give times because we are all in different time zones that's why we use the + numbers
I'll give you the link to set it up , if you have trouble just ask and we have a member who will gladly do it for you


You can look at any members spreadsheet to see what it looks like, it's at the end of everyone's signature just tap on it
Your spreadsheet link should be linked with your signature
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/
 
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Do you have the U-100 syringes with the half unit markings? Having these makes it much easier when you have to adjust the doses by 0.25 units
You might want to read all about lantus here and the 2 dosing methods they will let you know when to increase or decrease , but you can always post and ask if you're not sure ,when you decide on which one you want to follow please add that to your signature and your spreadsheet up top where it asks you as well as the diagnosis date, insulin and meter you are using , they will all be at the top of your spreadsheet
@Sundance2023
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9/
 
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Sundance2023 said:
I will be on a better routine at some point and will always feed, inject, and test at the same times (counter intuitive to me).
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You test first AMPS ,same goes for the PMPS to be sure the BG number is safe enough to give the insulin, then feed and give the insulin. This process should take no longer than 15 minutes
You can then feed small snacks during each 12 hour cycle about 2 teaspoons of the
Friskies pate, such as +2, and at +4 ,of course if the BG drops too low then you would have to test and feed more often to bring the BG up to safe numbers . You want to try and find when Sundance nadirs ( lowest point in the cycle)

Feeding carbs after the nadir can reduce duration and give higher preshots.
Part of that process is getting a feel for basic concepts:
  • Onset - the length of time before insulin reaches the bloodstream & begins lowering blood glucose
  • Peak/Nadir - the lowest point in the cycle
  • Duration - the length of time insulin continues to lower blood glucose
Once you have your SS set up and start filling in any numbers you already have members here will be able to guide you
@Sundance2023
 
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Diane Tyler's Mom said:
Do you have the U-100 syringes with the half unit markings? Having these makes it much easier when you have to adjust the doses by 0.25 units
You might want to read all about lantus here and the 2 dosing methods they will let you know when to increase or decrease , but you can always post and ask if you're not sure ,when you decide on which one you want to follow please add that to your signature and your spreadsheet up top where it asks you as well as the diagnosis date, insulin and meter you are using , they will all be at the top of your spreadsheet
@Sundance2023
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9/
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Yes, U-100 syringes.
 
I have been feeding at 11am and shot there after and 5:30pm and shot there after. My schedule does not allow me to feed/shot any earlier than around 11am and I can move
the PM feeding to 11pm if that would be best but Oscar is not going to be happy about feed that late and 12 hours apart.
 
The shots really need to be 12 hours apart and right now you’re doing 6.5 hours then 17.5 hours. 11am and 11pm would be ideal but you can give him treats or a smaller meal at 5:30 since that’s right around +6? Have you considered the timed feeder for when you’re not there?
 
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Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA) said:
The shots really need to be 12 hours apart and right now you’re doing 6.5 hours then 17.5 hours. 11am and 11pm would be ideal but you can give him treats or a smaller meal at 5:30 since that’s right around +6? Have you considered the timed feeder for when you’re not there?
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Are there automatic feeder for wet food? Also isn't the shot suppose to be given right after feeding, so an automatic feeder won't work because I couldn't give the shot.
 
Most test, feed, shoot all within about 10 minutes, give it take. Shooting ear,use than 12 hours can act like am increase in dose and late like a decrease. I suggest you read the Basics sticky on the lantus forum.

There are programmable feeders that you can set to go off with as many as 5 slots fur food and can be used with wet food. If worried about it being too hot out you can put ice packs under the dishes.
 
Sundance2023 said:
Yes, U-100 syringes.
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But do they have half unit markings?
@Sundance2023
30-unit-insulin-syringe-markings.jpg
 
We’ve been asking you to read the links and the sticky notes. You don’t have to feed only twice a day. I’ve tried to explain this to you before. We feed smaller meals throughout the day and not just 2 meals at shot times. But you do have to give the shots every 12 hours and at the same time every day.

you can add ice to the feeder to keep the wet food fresh.
 
Here is the link again, please read all the yellow sticky notes: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9/

Lantus builds a depot and works for 12 hours. Throughout the 12 hours insulin from the depot is released into the body so it works when the cat eats. You don’t give insulin every time your cat eats, you give insulin every 12 hours so that your cat is protected when it does eat. Just like a diabetic person. Diabetics don’t eat twice a day only. So if you give insulin again after only 6 hours, it acts like an increase in dose since the first shot was still working. And if you give insulin after 16 hours, there was a 4 hour gap when your cat wasn’t protected so it functions like a dose decrease. Please remember that eating smaller meals more often is easier on their already compromised pancreas.
 
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Steve, would you be able to take a photo of the U 100 syringe and copy and paste it here so we can check it is the correct syringe please?
There are a few different U 100 syringes and I just want to make sure it is the right one....thanks!
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Thanks Steve. They look like the correct syringes.
At the moment you have the syringe drawn back to 5.5 units.
How much insulin are you giving Oscar?
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Signature says 1U 2X/Day


Steve, many people put time of day in their spreadsheets as well. I added the time at the top to show what time I was shooting insulin and then what time an hour later was, 2 hours later, etc. I found it very helpful instead of just the +2, +3 etc.

I added a row at the top of the spreadsheet like this. In our case we were shooting at 6:30am and 6:30pm:

upload_2023-4-6_7-54-29.png
 

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Hendrick Cuddleclaw said:
Signature says 1U 2X/Day


Steve, many people put time of day in their spreadsheets as well. I added the time at the top to show what time I was shooting insulin and then what time an hour later was, 2 hours later, etc. I found it very helpful instead of just the +2, +3 etc.

I added a row at the top of the spreadsheet like this. In our case we were shooting at 6:30am and 6:30pm:

View attachment 66626
Click to expand...
Thanks, I just added a column.
upload_2023-4-6_11-49-35.jpeg
 

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Steve, when you took the photo to show us the syringe you are using…..was that the dose you give or was that just with the plunger drawn back a bit further?
I am just concerned you might not be drawing up the correct amount.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Steve, when you took the photo to show us the syringe you are using…..was that the dose you give or was that just with the plunger drawn back a bit further?
I am just concerned you might not be drawing up the correct amount.
Click to expand...
The does is 1µ (the 3rd line), I just drew the plunger back so the divisions were not behind the black of the plunder so you could see the increments.
 
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