Okay everyone, I've been doing this a week and I'm still confused by the numbers. No ketones yesterday but with his 480 this morning, he's lethargic and not walking away from the water bowl. I know I don't have a ton of information available, but can you take a look at my ss and tell me your thoughts. I've increased the dose back up, with his creeping numbers. All your advice is greatly appreciated. He doesn't eat any dry food at all. It is now gone! It's FF and boiled chicken/broth.
BJ's Glucose Just Keeps Going UP
- Thread starter DStreight
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Sue and Oliver (GA)
Very Active Member
My best idea is that he is one of those cats who might need the consistency of the same dose for several cycles before you see lower numbers. He did okay at 2.5 - 3 units. I might go back to 2.75 (if you have the U100 needles), test for ketones and bg consistently and hold it for a few cycles?
Let's see what others say.
Let's see what others say.
Kelly & Oscar
Very Active Member
From looking at your spreadsheet it looks like you are changing the dose almost every cycle. You got a nice drop to a blue the other day with 3.5u and then obviously got a bounce from that drop. I wouldn't have raised the dose on that since the higher/flat numbers was probably a reaction to that 192. What do you think about going down to 3 or 3.5 and holding it for at least 5 days to let his body settle? The dose is being changed so much that I am not sure his body has decided between fighting the higher doses or letting the lower doses work. The only blues I see on your chart are from doses at 3.5u or below. Every higher dose stays above that, which tells me he needs a lower dose.
Joanna & Bix (GA)
Very Active Member
I'm definitely concerned about the lethargy and staying near the water dish. Is he eating ok? I would make sure of that 1st. If not and if he seems to need the dry to feel better, I would let him have dry food and then it'll just be more of a challenge most likely to get the dose right. But eating is the most important.
If it were me, I think I would try 3u (or 2.75 as Sue suggested) for 2 full days and then reevaluate, checking at least once per day (and more if it's an easy feat) for ketones. Because that last 2.5u was 2 hours later than a normal shot, that is why you didn't see better results on that cycle. The fact that he didn't rise all that much in my experience has been an indicator that if you shot that same dose on a +12, you would get some drop. I agree that since then it's hard to tell what is resistance to the dose.
Typically you want to hold a dose for at least 3-4 cycles as they can often get a better response on cycle 3 or 4 of a new dose. Although you can change PZI doses with every shot, normally you don't really want to do that when you are on a dose increase path. It's hard to imagine until you have seen it, but sometimes when you have the right dose you will get a really nice breakthrough to perfect #s. PZI seems to have sort of a sweet spot with the dose - too low and not much action, too high and you get weird #s, which could be what you are seeing.
If it were me, I think I would try 3u (or 2.75 as Sue suggested) for 2 full days and then reevaluate, checking at least once per day (and more if it's an easy feat) for ketones. Because that last 2.5u was 2 hours later than a normal shot, that is why you didn't see better results on that cycle. The fact that he didn't rise all that much in my experience has been an indicator that if you shot that same dose on a +12, you would get some drop. I agree that since then it's hard to tell what is resistance to the dose.
Typically you want to hold a dose for at least 3-4 cycles as they can often get a better response on cycle 3 or 4 of a new dose. Although you can change PZI doses with every shot, normally you don't really want to do that when you are on a dose increase path. It's hard to imagine until you have seen it, but sometimes when you have the right dose you will get a really nice breakthrough to perfect #s. PZI seems to have sort of a sweet spot with the dose - too low and not much action, too high and you get weird #s, which could be what you are seeing.
BJ is very lethargic, but ALWAYS has an appetite! Ketones were fine this morning. I will diligently keep the dose at 3.0 units for 4-5 cycles. He was really high this morning, but the insulin did move it down, so I'll keep a close watch. Thanks for everyones help. It is greatly appreciated!
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Very Active Member
I think we are saying a couple cycles - and maybe back at 2.75? He got better numbers at the lower dose. You didn't stay there very long. I know you are worried about ketones but that seems to be fine. I don't see that the bigger dose is lowering his numbers. It may be that he needs more, but I would like to see you try that lower dose first.
What do others think?
What do others think?
Joanna & Bix (GA)
Very Active Member
I can't get my mind around it at the moment. Don't be married to a dose or # of cycles that I may have suggested!!!! One way to look at it when things are wonkified is to go back to the last dose that you got a decent response on, and start over from there. The response is variable though, so I can't quite get my mind around what dose that is.
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