Big Gulper on Lantus: Try Lev?

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Nora & John & Tommy

Nora & John & Tommy

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Hello,

Tommy is up to 8.5U Lantus BID, and not yet regulated.

We are nearing the end of a Lantus vial, and have read about a few high-dose kitties who do better on Levemir.

Is this actually the trend, that big gulpers often do better with Lev? Does anyone have thoughts as to whether it would make sense to switch?

btw, Tommy BG's continue to fluctuate all over the place, but he's happy and affectionate, and his neuropathy seems to be improving. He tested negative for acromegaly. He has not been tested for IAA.

Thanks in advance for any info.
 
Have you posted this at the lantus and high dose ISG forums? You've ruled out acromegaly...what about teeth? Any other conditions?
 
Jen,

No, it's only been posted here.

The vet did look at his teeth recently, and said they weren't bad but could use a cleaning. We'll definitely get that done.

No other known conditions - he's 6 years old and until the diabetes, was healthy other than urinary blockage 4 years ago. He is a big lug - a 20-pound Maine Coon.

Thanks.
 
well, 8.5 units BID is a huge dose no matter what size of cat, plus are you still giving R?

I'd be posting in the high dose/acro cat forum to see if there are things that need to be addressed..

Good luck :)
 
You ruled out acro by testing - what was the IGF-1 test result?
I am not sure why you did not have the IAA test done at the same time since there are more and more cats who are testing negative for acro but positive for IAA.
At higher doses, Lev may be better as Lantus is said to sting at higher doses.
 
Lantus is a slightly acidic liquid.

Levemir is a neutral liquid.

A human diabetic has told us acromoms that Lantus stings noticeably when the doses are larger.

SO.... most of us High Dose moms switched to levemir.
 
Jen,

Agreed, 8.5U is a lot, but we've spent time at all the lower doses. We stopped the R when it seemed that we were getting closer to a good dose. Hopefully the R was temporary.

I'll try the high dose forum after a couple days - double posting can get complicated.

Thanks!


Gayle and Phoebe,

IGF-1 test result: 80 (reference range 12-92). We probably should have done the IAA test at the same time, though from comments I've read a positive result doesn't change treatment much.

Tommy doesn't seem to mind the shots, especially if he's distracted by food :) But the acidity/sting is a factor.

Have you high-dose moms noticed any other differences between Lantus and Lev?

Thanks.
 
Lantus has a guaranteed effective life of 28 days after first use (puncturing the rubber seal with a needle)

Levemir has a guaranteed effective life of 42 days after first use.

while many have found they can use the insulin for longer than these minimums - Lantus is more likely to "poop out" before the cartridge is empty ---
This is less of a factor of high dose kitties --- Gayle was just saying with her TWO acrocats -- she is using a cartridge in about 4 days.

With my low dose Tiggy, I've used a cartridge for over 3 months.
 
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