BG spike from 120 to over 300 in an hour?

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Kristin Boel

Kristin Boel

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Hello.

Looking for some help here. Spreadsheet is updated and I attached a picture. Dodge is now on Freestyle Libre 2 and it has 3 days left in it (we're on the 11th day of use). He has literally been steady on his BG numbers for weeks, with minor spikes up above 200 but always adjusts. I have not shot since 9/2/24. His high BG alarm went off earlier and as you can see, there's a super high spike to double within one hour...however...after I took the reading, the sensor errored out and wouldn't let me read again for 10 minutes (For quite some time and has periodically done it since the spike). I have no other way to read and I hear they can give false readings when they're on their last days.
Should I trust this?
Could he spike this high this fast if he's been steady for quite some time? I'm afraid to shoot tonight if it's a false reading. I have a new sensor coming tomorrow to have it replaced. Is he going to be ok overnight if I don't do anything and maybe bring him in for a vet test in the morning?

Thank you in advance,
Kristin
 

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Can you put a line through the spreadsheet please where you swapped to Lantus. Either leave it blank or black it out and clearly mark it as the swap over to Lantus please.
I would not be happy with these BG numbers being in the blue and above if it was my kitty.
Were you advised to stop the insulin by us?
 
Sure, I can do that. I highlighted column A and the comments in orange. It was 8/17/24. Yes, the only other thread I've made included that. He was on .5 and we discussed not shooting unless over 150 because of severe drops and/or lowering the amount as well to .25.
 
Kristin Boel said:
Hello.

Looking for some help here. Spreadsheet is updated and I attached a picture. Dodge is now on Freestyle Libre 2 and it has 3 days left in it (we're on the 11th day of use). He has literally been steady on his BG numbers for weeks, with minor spikes up above 200 but always adjusts. I have not shot since 9/2/24. His high BG alarm went off earlier and as you can see, there's a super high spike to double within one hour...however...after I took the reading, the sensor errored out and wouldn't let me read again for 10 minutes (For quite some time and has periodically done it since the spike). I have no other way to read and I hear they can give false readings when they're on their last days.
Should I trust this?
Could he spike this high this fast if he's been steady for quite some time? I'm afraid to shoot tonight if it's a false reading. I have a new sensor coming tomorrow to have it replaced. Is he going to be ok overnight if I don't do anything and maybe bring him in for a vet test in the morning?

Thank you in advance,
Kristin
Click to expand...
Hi Kristin, before the 3 days left on the Libre sensor, runs out, can get a hold of a human meter like the ReliON Premier and strips, or any human monitor, these sensors are not very accurately especially when they are close to the 14 days, I am surprised it even lasted this long, they can be inaccurate in high but especially in low numbers, by experience, I switch to the ReiliON Premier, because the alarms for High and Low , would just go off crazy, especially in the middle of the night, so the last sensor Corky had I left it on while I learned how to draw blood, and I did not have much time to do so, I had just purchased the human meter and tested with both and the difference was unremarkable, if you did not feed High carbs before+9, it could be the sensor reading wrong:bighug::cat::cat:
 
I did not feed any food before this spike (although he is on the Y/D for thyroid this entire time, which I know is high carb). When I do feed the Y/D (mixed w/ low carb), he usually doesn't spike high at all.
As of right now, the sensor won't work, it keeps saying error and try again in 10 minutes. I would feel so much better with manual testing, I will need to look into that because the amount of stress this is causing right now is unacceptable.
 
I think the best thing to do would be to get a human meter if the libre has stopped working, and start testing then we can look at a suitable dose. It would not be safe to give a dose without the ability to test the BGs. How about that plan?
 
Kristin Boel said:
I did not feed any food before this spike (although he is on the Y/D for thyroid this entire time, which I know is high carb). When I do feed the Y/D (mixed w/ low carb), he usually doesn't spike high at all.
As of right now, the sensor won't work, it keeps saying error and try again in 10 minutes. I would feel so much better with manual testing, I will need to look into that because the amount of stress this is causing right now is unacceptable.
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the error means your sensor is out, finished, you know you can get a free replacement that will take 48 hours when you request it, by calling the customer service number on the box, you cannot tell them is for your cat though they will not replace it, if you continue to use the Libre you have to have an extra one handy, they also fall off quite easily, your vet should give you a PRN (1 year) prescription for the sensors, and you can change them on your own, is a piece of cake, I do not know if you are in the US, but if you are the cheapest place to get them is Walmart, but I highly recommend to switch, or you will be really stressed out, especially that I see green numbers on your spreadsheet, and you do not want to shoot not knowing his Bg, I shoot Corky on 80's and 90's, but it took a lot out of me to get use to that, but that's where he needs to be in order for the pancreas to heal, the high carb must've hit him late, below is a Dr's food list for you the third column will have the % of carbs for each food, a diabetic cat needs have a diet that consists of 0-10% carbs, to keep the BG regulated there are many food brands to choose from :bighug::cat::cat:
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dr-pierson-new-food-chart.174147/
 
Unfortunately, I've already had one sensor immediately not work and found out the hard way that they will not replace it because I told them it's for the cat. :(
I am in the US and will talk to the vet about having an extra sensor on hand. I haven't replaced it myself as they've been good at getting me in and out at no charge for that thankfully.
Thanks for the food list. Since he has hyperthyroidism as well and we've managed it w/ the Hill's Y/D for years, I kept him on that to see how he would react now w/ the diabetes. So far so good-ish until this issue. I've incorporated some low carb food w/ the Y/D since his appetite has increased now that his numbers are lower, but hard to go completely low carb w/ the hyperthyroidism. At some point, I may need to get him on a pill for that.
I'm hoping it's the sensor I'm going to call the vet first thing and see if I can get him in for a test. Too much stress on a Sunday night!!!!!!!!
 
Kristin Boel said:
Unfortunately, I've already had one sensor immediately not work and found out the hard way that they will not replace it because I told them it's for the cat. :(
I am in the US and will talk to the vet about having an extra sensor on hand. I haven't replaced it myself as they've been good at getting me in and out at no charge for that thankfully.
Thanks for the food list. Since he has hyperthyroidism as well and we've managed it w/ the Hill's Y/D for years, I kept him on that to see how he would react now w/ the diabetes. So far so good-ish until this issue. I've incorporated some low carb food w/ the Y/D since his appetite has increased now that his numbers are lower, but hard to go completely low carb w/ the hyperthyroidism. At some point, I may need to get him on a pill for that.
I'm hoping it's the sensor I'm going to call the vet first thing and see if I can get him in for a test. Too much stress on a Sunday night!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
It is the sensor, you always need to have a spare if you continue to use them, we are here for you:bighug::bighug::cat:
 
Thank you for the support, I'm a mess over here. I know everyone understands. I hope it is the sensor - it now won't read at all.
 
Kristin Boel said:
Thank you for the support, I'm a mess over here. I know everyone understands. I hope it is the sensor - it now won't read at all.
Click to expand...
You actually can remove it now, I went thru this for about 5 months ending up with almost a nervous breakdown, My Corky was hospitalized for 8 days I had no idea about Cats having diabetes I found out when after 1 month or so of excessive compulsive water drinking and he aloud me to pick him up, that I noticed how feather like he felt, he had lost 8.5 lbs, and the sensor he left the hospital with h fell off the next day, and the rest, every 4-8 days would stop working it was a nightmare, so yes, I feel you:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
 
Oh GEEZ!!! I cannot imagine! That's so much weight lost for a fur baby. I'm sorry you went through that. I'm not sure what they use to put the sensors on, but this thing isn't coming off, I'll leave that part up to them so I don't do more harm than good. I am terrified to manually test him, but it would be my savior right now. I'm sure there's some good information/help on here about that, I will need to look into it. Stressful and expensive journeys we've been on, that's for sure!
 
Kristin Boel said:
Oh GEEZ!!! I cannot imagine! That's so much weight lost for a fur baby. I'm sorry you went through that. I'm not sure what they use to put the sensors on, but this thing isn't coming off, I'll leave that part up to them so I don't do more harm than good. I am terrified to manually test him, but it would be my savior right now. I'm sure there's some good information/help on here about that, I will need to look into it. Stressful and expensive journeys we've been on, that's for sure!
Click to expand...

Then the sensor is most likely glued on, you might see some irritation when the Vet takes it off, you can rub some aloe or Vaseline on the skin till it gets better, manual testing is not that hard at all, below is a link so you can start familiarizing yourself with it, and I know those sensors are expensive and if you were to get the Libre strips they are $80+ for only 50, now, the ReliON Premier is only like $12.00 at Walmart, and the strops are #9.00 for 50 and $17.99 for 100, I always keep extra 50 in case I need to test more often and sometimes you get a bad strip, and I am a compulsive tester, I test every 2 hours. now CVS does not have the ReliON, which the strips are the cheapest than others, so for the ReliON Premier monitor you need the ReliOn Premier strips:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-shoot-your-cat.290439/
 
Yeah he does get some irritation when the vet switches the sensors to the different sides of his back but after a few hours he will leave it alone thankfully. Ok good to know about the strips. Now that he's been somewhat stable, I've scanned him less, but now this has me right back to obsessive. :( Do you test on the ear?
 
Kristin Boel said:
Yeah he does get some irritation when the vet switches the sensors to the different sides of his back but after a few hours he will leave it alone thankfully. Ok good to know about the strips. Now that he's been somewhat stable, I've scanned him less, but now this has me right back to obsessive. :( Do you test on the ear?
Click to expand...
Yes,
Kristin Boel said:
Yeah he does get some irritation when the vet switches the sensors to the different sides of his back but after a few hours he will leave it alone thankfully. Ok good to know about the strips. Now that he's been somewhat stable, I've scanned him less, but now this has me right back to obsessive. :( Do you test on the ear?
Click to expand...

see the link above on how to shoot and also you baby is black so a small flashlight you can place in your mouth to see the drop of blood is convincente , I use it and Corky is Taby, the capillaries will start to swell shortly after a few pricks they don’t feel a thing I cried at first I thought I was hurting him he now just positions himself when he sees me with the monitor on hand at first is good to give a treat right after each test, so he will enjoy the test knowing a treat is coming after, is really simple and quick, at first you can even place on clean finger the drop of blood and transfer it to the strip there’s a lot of small tricks, follow me for more recepies ha ha
 
Purrfect, thank you for your support and advice. I HATE shots myself, so just doing the insulin I was a hot mess, but got better and he takes it like a champ. That would give me so much peace of mind right now, I was afraid I'd have to consider that method at some point, was just crossing my fingers real hard that it wouldn't get to that point.
 
Kristin Boel said:
Do you test on the ear?
Click to expand...
This might help you
Always aim for the sweet spot warm the ears up first, you can put rice in a sock and put it in the microwave, test it on the inside of your wrist to be sure it's not to hot, like you would test a babies bottle. You can fill a pill bottle with warm water and roll it on the ears also.Just keep rubbing the ears with your fingers to warm them up
c2b8079a-b471-4fa6-ac36-9ac1c8d6dcca-jpeg.57072
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6. As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capilares, it gets easier to get the amount of blood you need on the first try. If he won’t stand still, you can get the blood onto a clean finger nail and test from there.
When you do get some blood you can try milking the ear.
Get you finger and gently push up toward the blood , more will appear
You will put the cotton round behind his ear in case you poke your finger, after you are done testing you will fold the cotton round over his ear to stop the bleeding , press gently for about 10 or 20 seconds until it stops
Get 26 or 28 gauge lancets
A lot of us use the lancets to test freehand not the lancing device
I find it better to see where I'm aiming
Look at the lancet under a light and you will see one side is curved upward, that's the side you want to poke with

Try putting a thin layer of Vaseline on the ear so the blood will bead up


Here is the link for the meter and test strips so you don't have to search for them
Relion Premier Classic Meter at Walmart for 9 dollars
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Premier-CLASSIC-Blood-Glucose-Monitoring-System/552134103

The tests strips are 17.88 for 100
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Premier-Blood-Glucose-Test-Strips-100-Count/575088197
At least if you need more test strips you can run into Walmart and pick them up or if you're running low you can just order them from Walmart

Here is a video that a member did testing her kitty.
Ignore her coding her meter because she is using a pet meter, with the human meters you do not have to code it

VIDEO: How to test your cat's blood sugar

@Kristin Boel
 
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Kristin Boel said:
Sure, I can do that. I highlighted column A and the comments in orange
Click to expand...
Highlighting the date orange does not tell us when you switched to Lantus and most members will not look in the remarks section that you switched to Lantus
What you need to do so it stands out is to put a blank line above the date you switched to Lantus and then highlight any color

To show you what it looks like
Just to show you about the blank line look at this members spreadsheet
Here is her post ,
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/8-14-mac-amps-362-2-398-5-501-pmps-451.293127/#post-3200274

Go to her post up top and tap on Max's spreadsheet
@Kristin Boel
 
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@Diane Tyler's Mom GA - I just updated the spreadsheet, thanks. And thanks for the info on the ear testing - I do appreciate it.

I have a message into the vet for a call back. The sensor sketched out all night and this morning showed HI once it started to work and was all over the graph for the times it did register. He has increased appetite for sure (thyroid?) and is acting a little funny, so will wait for sensor delivery and hopefully get him in today to replace and test on site. Ugh.
 
CORKY said:
Yes,


see the link above on how to shoot and also you baby is black so a small flashlight you can place in your mouth to see the drop of blood is convincente , I use it and Corky is Taby, the capillaries will start to swell shortly after a few pricks they don’t feel a thing I cried at first I thought I was hurting him he now just positions himself when he sees me with the monitor on hand at first is good to give a treat right after each test, so he will enjoy the test knowing a treat is coming after, is really simple and quick, at first you can even place on clean finger the drop of blood and transfer it to the strip there’s a lot of small tricks, follow me for more recepies ha ha
Click to expand...
 
Kristin Boel said:
@Diane Tyler's Mom GA - I just updated the spreadsheet, thanks. And thanks for the info on the ear testing - I do appreciate it.

I have a message into the vet for a call back. The sensor sketched out all night and this morning showed HI once it started to work and was all over the graph for the times it did register. He has increased appetite for sure (thyroid?) and is acting a little funny, so will wait for sensor delivery and hopefully get him in today to replace and test on site. Ugh.
Click to expand...
@Kristin Boel
Hi Kristin I see you put the line above the date you started Lantus but you have to Type in that line Started Lantus so members can see it there ,not in the remarks section
When you do color it a different color ok:cat:
 
Awesome thanks again! I'm so new at this. :)

I got the new sensor delivered and I have a 2:30pm vet appt - going to get his thyroid level and glucose levels checked along w/ the sensor replacement. I'll update when we return. Fingers crossed.
 
The new sensor is on and working. The thyroid level was right in the middle (perfect!) and 182 BG. He did vomit twice right before we left the house for some reason. I was advised just to keep an eye on him and keep doing what I'm doing. :)
 
Kristin Boel said:
The new sensor is on and working. The thyroid level was right in the middle (perfect!) and 182 BG. He did vomit twice right before we left the house for some reason. I was advised just to keep an eye on him and keep doing what I'm doing. :)
Click to expand...
Awesome!! Best of luck with the new sensor but remember you still should have a hand meter and strips handy in case you have issues again with the sensor and you don’t skip testing before giving insulin, I’m glad for the both of you:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
 
Yes, for sure, I did talk to the vet about hand testing she also said it doesn't hurt them and would get easier once I start it. I will check back on those links above. Thank you for your support and advice!
 
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