Chloe 9
- Thread starter srk4cats
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srk4cats
Member Since 2017
Chloe woke me up at 5:30 this morning with her yowling and so I tested her, fed her, and gave her the insulin shot. I had missed the PM shot yesterday. Anyway, in a way it's good because tonight I'm going to a cat video festival at 7:30, so I can test, feed, and inject her before I leave. I'm so excited about this video festival! It benefits non-profit cat shelters.
StephG
Member Since 2016
Please get some mid cycle tests in today.Didn't get home until 9:00 pm. She was at 394 and was hungry. I fed her YA but decided to skip her shot because it was so late.
Maybe a +4 and a +7.
The fat 1 unit should be evaluated with mid cycle tests or a curve. She was doing ok on 1 unit-- getting two shootable preshots. Which is important so you don't have to skip shots and overwork her pancreas so suddenly. If the fat 1 unit looks better then we will be able to see if it's good enough for now or if a increase/decrease is needed.
Have fun at the video festival.
StephG
Member Since 2016
This happens with my civvie too! I was 30 minutes late with his mini meal this morning and he was puking. Fed him and he stopped. If I'm even later he will puke, eat some food, and repeat.
srk4cats
Member Since 2017
There's YA that I leave out for free-feeding. I've seen her spit up a couple times, but it wasn't food. It was transparent. I hope to get in a mid-cycle today. The last time, I was late, she got all blues the next day.
srk4cats
Member Since 2017
My SS is completely messed up and I can't figure out what's wrong. So I put a background color on the line before today. I checked my meter a couple times and still can't figure it out. So I decided to start over today, Sunday, July 2nd. AMPS was 245. To top it off, I'm not sure if it was a fur shot, so I estimated she got about 1 unit. Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.
The good news is that the Cat Video Festival was hilarious. I had to really concentrate on my breathing to not get hiccups. Most of the funny clips were things my cats have done over the years, but with narration, it was hilarious. Just now, I went outside to find Chico and didn't see him. I'm dreading the day he figures out how to jump the wall. Of course, I'm terrified that he got taken by a coyote and opened the gate to check outside the yard, when he finally decides to show up. Then he rolls around in a pile of dirt because he knows I'll brush him before letting him in, and he enjoys that. Oy. I'm thinking of posting some of his antics on YouTube. Did you know that there's a book about how to make your cat famous on the internet and make a lot of money?
Oh yes, I think I'm turning into a cat and becoming crepuscular, and that's why I haven't been able to get midday shots.
The good news is that the Cat Video Festival was hilarious. I had to really concentrate on my breathing to not get hiccups. Most of the funny clips were things my cats have done over the years, but with narration, it was hilarious. Just now, I went outside to find Chico and didn't see him. I'm dreading the day he figures out how to jump the wall. Of course, I'm terrified that he got taken by a coyote and opened the gate to check outside the yard, when he finally decides to show up. Then he rolls around in a pile of dirt because he knows I'll brush him before letting him in, and he enjoys that. Oy. I'm thinking of posting some of his antics on YouTube. Did you know that there's a book about how to make your cat famous on the internet and make a lot of money?
Oh yes, I think I'm turning into a cat and becoming crepuscular, and that's why I haven't been able to get midday shots.
StephG
Member Since 2016
1 unit on the 245 should be a good dose. If that's what she got. Hard to tell with fur shots. I would make a note on the SS saying possible fur shot.
Try to get a mid cycle today. Even though you suspect a fur shot it looks like it would be a good one to get some tests in, even if it's just one around +6.
I love watching cat videos. Simon's cat animation videos are hilarious.
srk4cats
Member Since 2017
Y
She's at 400, so I changed this morning's shot to a fur shot.
They showed a hilarious Simon's Cat video. I found out about Simon over 10 years ago, when he had only done about 3 ot 4 videos. I was studying Flash at the time and did a report on him. Have you seen any Henri videos? He's a depressed cat speaking with a French accent. I'm going to test her now.
She's at 400, so I changed this morning's shot to a fur shot.
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srk4cats
Member Since 2017
Actually, I messed up. It's tomorrow night. I'm going to test her now at 7 pm.
StephG
Member Since 2016
I see your note about eating well but not gaining weight.
When their bg is not regulated they can't get the nutrients needed to gain. Free feeding YA might help so getting a weekly weight will show of it is or not.
Chuck struggled for months trying to gain. It took about 7 months to gain 3 pounds. Still only maintaining 12 pounds with his extra food and snacks because his BG is not regulated. It's much better than before but not good enough.
Keep trying to get mid cycle tests in.
The blue at +4 on 7/2 pm cycle makes me wonder if a fat 1 unit is too much for a 200s preshot like on 7/3 pm cycle.
The more you test the better control you will be able to get and she'll feel better and make remission a possibility. Until she's regulated... remission really isn't a possibility. Keep in mind though, some cats never go into remission. But why not try getting there for Chloe?! I'm still trying for Chuck... Might be trying to drain the ocean with a bucket but I'll keep trying!
When their bg is not regulated they can't get the nutrients needed to gain. Free feeding YA might help so getting a weekly weight will show of it is or not.
Chuck struggled for months trying to gain. It took about 7 months to gain 3 pounds. Still only maintaining 12 pounds with his extra food and snacks because his BG is not regulated. It's much better than before but not good enough.
Keep trying to get mid cycle tests in.
The blue at +4 on 7/2 pm cycle makes me wonder if a fat 1 unit is too much for a 200s preshot like on 7/3 pm cycle.
The more you test the better control you will be able to get and she'll feel better and make remission a possibility. Until she's regulated... remission really isn't a possibility. Keep in mind though, some cats never go into remission. But why not try getting there for Chloe?! I'm still trying for Chuck... Might be trying to drain the ocean with a bucket but I'll keep trying!
StephG
Member Since 2016
I'm against going up to 1.5 units until you get another curve.
This morning would be a good cycle to do it. 249 at +3.5 is only half way to what seems to be her nadir around +6(based on last curve)
The curve on AM cycle 6/26 makes me think around 1 unit is the dose Chloe might need but until you get another curve we can't be sure.
If you get the curve done it might show she needs more while she's in pinks or it might surprise you and show something completely different.
+3,+6,+9 testing should be enough to see how she's doing.
Yong & Maury GA
Member Since 2017
I agree with Steph, no increase until some sort of curve on the current fat 1.0U dose. Prozinc doses are based on Pre-shot numbers AND NADIR. We're only seeing one part of the picture.
srk4cats
Member Since 2017
I could do a semi-curve today. I have a doctor's appt at 11:00, so it would have to be a +3, +6, +9, and then I have another event at 6:00, so that would be my PMPS next and it might be slightly late.
StephG
Member Since 2016
+3, +6, and +9 is a mini curve so that will due.
How late will her PMPS be? If you're less than a half hour late you could probably still give the shot-- depending on her PMPS and if you can shoot at least 15 minutes later tomorrow morning too.
So if you can give her the shot between 7 and 7:30 tonight and between 7:15 and 7:30 tomorrow morning it should be fine. But only for this occasion. I wouldn't switch up the shot times all the time. Easy to get messed up and shoot too early.
Yong & Maury GA
Member Since 2017
A mini curve is fine. My friends already know if there is an "event" scheduled to start when Maury is due for his routine that I will be fashionably late. My boy come first. 
StephG
Member Since 2016
Same here. I show up fashionably late with cat hair stuck to me somewhere!A mini curve is fine. My friends already know if there is an "event" scheduled to start when Maury is due for his routine that I will be fashionably late. My boy come first.
srk4cats
Member Since 2017
I think I passed the nadir (233) and the numbers are still too high. I think it's time to increase the dase to 1.5 u. Don't you?A mini curve is fine. My friends already know if there is an "event" scheduled to start when Maury is due for his routine that I will be fashionably late. My boy come first.
StephG
Member Since 2016
I'm not convinced... This could be a bounce cycle.
If you do increase, please don't until you can get a +3 and +6 in the cycle. Be ready to test often and to steer with food if necessary.
Anyone else have any input?
Yong & Maury GA
Member Since 2017
I agree with you Steph, looks like a bounce cycle. We need to see more mid cycle tests.
srk4cats
Member Since 2017
What exactly is a 'bounce' and what causes it? I gave her fat 1 and I'll do one more test at 10 (+4). I would really like to get her numbers down. Also, what do you mean by 'steer with food'?
StephG
Member Since 2016
When the numbers drop too fast or too "low" (can just be lower than their body is familiar with) the liver "panics" and tries to raise the blood glucose levels. It pumps out stuff that raises the numbers and this is a bounce. This will cause higher numbers making it look like the dose isn't enough. Sometimes the dose is too much but without mid cycle tests we can never know. That's why we all urge testing mid cycle and at different times. It can last 6 cycles.
Chuck does this after blues and greens. He stays yellow or pink for a day or so. Sometimes red or black.
Steering with food is controlling how fast or how far the numbers drop. You feed extra low carb, med carb, or high carb food depending on the situation. When to feed is determined by mid cycle tests if it's needed.
I suggest looking over the yellow sticky threads at the top of the prozinc page as well as in the main health forum. There's a lot of info and a refresher could help. I read them often.
Chuck does this after blues and greens. He stays yellow or pink for a day or so. Sometimes red or black.
Steering with food is controlling how fast or how far the numbers drop. You feed extra low carb, med carb, or high carb food depending on the situation. When to feed is determined by mid cycle tests if it's needed.
I suggest looking over the yellow sticky threads at the top of the prozinc page as well as in the main health forum. There's a lot of info and a refresher could help. I read them often.
StephG
Member Since 2016
I feel the same way with Chuck. But it can take time to find the right dose for her needs at this time. It can change frequently too.
With more testing we can help you narrow down the dose she needs now and try to help keep her in better numbers.
I've had complete meltdowns over Chuck's numbers being high for so long. I've looked at my spreadsheet for hours trying to find a method to this madness but have realized I have to just go with the flow and patiently (sometimes I fake patience) try to get his numbers under better control.
So my advice is to test test test... Random spot checks help and curves do too.
srk4cats
Member Since 2017
I don't see where the numbers have been low for 6 or 7 cycles. They've been consistently high.
Rachel
Member Since 2013
Yep, you'll need more data to see the low numbers. It looks like you haven't been able to get more than 1 or 2 mid cycle tests lately. Unfortunately, unless you're lucky, you won't likely catch the low numbers like that. As Steph said above, those low numbers that you didn't manage to catch cause those higher numbers that you did. If you can run a curve like we suggested before, that will really help. And mid cycle tests WHENEVER you can get them on every single cycle.
StephG
Member Since 2016
And it doesn't necessarily mean low as in double digits. It can be 100-200 points lower than their usual. Each cat is different so without more data we can't know for sure how she reacts.
So those mid cycle tests will help see what's going on. One or two cycles really isn't enough since it could be a bounce.
Any time you increase or decrease a dose you really should do a curve. To make sure she's not dropping too low or going too high.
If you look at Chuck's spread sheet:
On 7/2 pm cycle he was blue for most of his cycle. Those blues caused him to bounce for the next 3 cycles and then the 4th cycle he started to see blues again.
While he's bouncing it looks like it's not enough insulin. Although he does need a slight increase to get better numbers you can see that the bounce makes it look like he needs more than a small increase.
Edited to add:
On 6/29 pm cycle Chuck saw greens. It took him 5 cycles to really clear the bounce and got the nice cycle of blues on 7/2. So each bounce can be a little different too. If only they could talk! That would make this much easier.
So those mid cycle tests will help see what's going on. One or two cycles really isn't enough since it could be a bounce.
Any time you increase or decrease a dose you really should do a curve. To make sure she's not dropping too low or going too high.
If you look at Chuck's spread sheet:
On 7/2 pm cycle he was blue for most of his cycle. Those blues caused him to bounce for the next 3 cycles and then the 4th cycle he started to see blues again.
While he's bouncing it looks like it's not enough insulin. Although he does need a slight increase to get better numbers you can see that the bounce makes it look like he needs more than a small increase.
Edited to add:
On 6/29 pm cycle Chuck saw greens. It took him 5 cycles to really clear the bounce and got the nice cycle of blues on 7/2. So each bounce can be a little different too. If only they could talk! That would make this much easier.
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Djamila
Member Since 2015
It's great that you want to see Chloe getting some better numbers, and maybe even reach remission. That requires some skill and knowledge on your part in order to take care of her so that she can get there. It doesn't happen by chance. If it happens at all, it's because the owner takes great care in testing and dosing to help their kitty to heal. Reading the stickies at the top of the forum is a great place to start. The more you know and understand, the better you can help Chloe.
At the beginning of a diagnosis, there is so much to learn that we can forget things which is why, as Steph said, it's good to go back and re-read things regularly. We all learn, and re-learn, things around here that help us to take care of our kitties. On one of your older threads, I explained a bit about testing, dosing, and bounces. In the next couple of posts, I'll re-send the information from the previous thread.
Oh, and here is the link to that old thread so you can read through it again:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/chloe.175418/
At the beginning of a diagnosis, there is so much to learn that we can forget things which is why, as Steph said, it's good to go back and re-read things regularly. We all learn, and re-learn, things around here that help us to take care of our kitties. On one of your older threads, I explained a bit about testing, dosing, and bounces. In the next couple of posts, I'll re-send the information from the previous thread.
Oh, and here is the link to that old thread so you can read through it again:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/chloe.175418/
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Djamila
Member Since 2015
This is a re-post from that previous thread:
Let's imagine that it's morning. I think you said you were doing your tests and shots at 7:30, is that right? I'll use that time for now:
1. 7:30a.m. The first thing you do is test and get a pre-shot number. We usually call this AMPS (a.m. pre-shot)
2. Then you feed Chloe.
3. If her blood glucose number is higher than 200, you give her a shot of insulin.
4. The food she just ate will usually make her blood glucose (BG) go up for a couple of hours. This is normal in a diabetic cat.
5. After about 2 hours, the insulin will start to lower her BG.
6. After about 5-7 hours, Chloe's blood glucose will reach it's lowest point in the cycle. This is called the nadir. This number should never be below 50. If it's below 50, she's hypoglycemic, and it's very dangerous.
7. After the nadir, the BG will start to rise again, and will continue to rise until the PMPS (p.m. pre-shot).
8. At the pm pre-shot time (7:30pm for you), you test again, feed Chloe her dinner, and if her PMPS is higher than 200, give her some insulin.
Okay, so that's how the cycle goes. But now what about the dose? Here is what happens:
1. If you get the AMPS number, and give a dose that is too low, then a diabetic cat would have BG numbers that rise after eating, and then slowly over the day, the BG would stay more or less the same, or slowly go down until the PMPS. The numbers would be too high all day. If that goes on for weeks and months, it will make the cat sick.
2. If you get the AMPS number, and give a dose that is too high, then the BG will drop too much. Here's where it gets tricky though: the BG number will drop, and then the cat's body panics and dumps stored glucose into the blood stream. If you are testing during the day, you will see the number go down, and then you will see it rise quickly as the stored glucose floods the cat's body. If you are NOT testing during the day because you are at work, then you will see the AMPS, and you will see the high number at the end (the PMPS), but you won't see that low number in the middle because you couldn't test at that time. So you'll see the high number at the end, and think that her BG is really high and she needs more insulin. But that is WRONG. She actually needs less insulin because that whole thing happened because she had too much insulin at the beginning of the cycle.
So here is an example with actual numbers from one of our cats. The +1, +2, etc. is how many hours after the AMPS. The numbers are the blood glucose numbers:
AMPS: 432
+1: 478 (it went up a little because the cat ate breakfast)
+2: 332
+4: 147
+5: 48 (at this point, the cat is hypoglycemic - the blood glucose is too low and it's dangerous - when this happens, it's important to give the cat high carb food and try to get the numbers to rise)
+6: 52 (this is still very low)
+7: 389 (see how high this number is now? that's a normal response when the BG has gone too low - we call it a 'bounce')
+10: 402
PMPS: 455
So if the owner had only tested at AMPS and PMPS, it would look like a test of 432, and a tests of 455. The owner would think that the insulin wasn't helping, but really, it had been too much insulin, not too little.
Let's imagine that it's morning. I think you said you were doing your tests and shots at 7:30, is that right? I'll use that time for now:
1. 7:30a.m. The first thing you do is test and get a pre-shot number. We usually call this AMPS (a.m. pre-shot)
2. Then you feed Chloe.
3. If her blood glucose number is higher than 200, you give her a shot of insulin.
4. The food she just ate will usually make her blood glucose (BG) go up for a couple of hours. This is normal in a diabetic cat.
5. After about 2 hours, the insulin will start to lower her BG.
6. After about 5-7 hours, Chloe's blood glucose will reach it's lowest point in the cycle. This is called the nadir. This number should never be below 50. If it's below 50, she's hypoglycemic, and it's very dangerous.
7. After the nadir, the BG will start to rise again, and will continue to rise until the PMPS (p.m. pre-shot).
8. At the pm pre-shot time (7:30pm for you), you test again, feed Chloe her dinner, and if her PMPS is higher than 200, give her some insulin.
Okay, so that's how the cycle goes. But now what about the dose? Here is what happens:
1. If you get the AMPS number, and give a dose that is too low, then a diabetic cat would have BG numbers that rise after eating, and then slowly over the day, the BG would stay more or less the same, or slowly go down until the PMPS. The numbers would be too high all day. If that goes on for weeks and months, it will make the cat sick.
2. If you get the AMPS number, and give a dose that is too high, then the BG will drop too much. Here's where it gets tricky though: the BG number will drop, and then the cat's body panics and dumps stored glucose into the blood stream. If you are testing during the day, you will see the number go down, and then you will see it rise quickly as the stored glucose floods the cat's body. If you are NOT testing during the day because you are at work, then you will see the AMPS, and you will see the high number at the end (the PMPS), but you won't see that low number in the middle because you couldn't test at that time. So you'll see the high number at the end, and think that her BG is really high and she needs more insulin. But that is WRONG. She actually needs less insulin because that whole thing happened because she had too much insulin at the beginning of the cycle.
So here is an example with actual numbers from one of our cats. The +1, +2, etc. is how many hours after the AMPS. The numbers are the blood glucose numbers:
AMPS: 432
+1: 478 (it went up a little because the cat ate breakfast)
+2: 332
+4: 147
+5: 48 (at this point, the cat is hypoglycemic - the blood glucose is too low and it's dangerous - when this happens, it's important to give the cat high carb food and try to get the numbers to rise)
+6: 52 (this is still very low)
+7: 389 (see how high this number is now? that's a normal response when the BG has gone too low - we call it a 'bounce')
+10: 402
PMPS: 455
So if the owner had only tested at AMPS and PMPS, it would look like a test of 432, and a tests of 455. The owner would think that the insulin wasn't helping, but really, it had been too much insulin, not too little.
Djamila
Member Since 2015
This is a re-post from that earlier thread:
So we've already talked about bouncing as it relates to the BG numbers dropping and rising sharply. But there is a second part of bouncing that you need to understand.
BOUNCING - PART II
After a kitty has had a sharp drop, the next cycles may be high and flat. This is how the kitty's body tries to recover from the drama of the bounce.
On Sam's spreadsheet you can see that during the PM cycle on 3/5/17, he went from a PMPS of 386, to a nadir of 84. Now 84 is still a safe number, but it's more than a 50% drop, and it's lower than his body was used to at that point. Those two factors (more than 50% drop and lower than the cat is used to) cause him to bounce. Now during that cycle, I went to sleep, so I didn't get the test that would have shown his number go high, so just imagine that part.
In the morning, of 3/6/17 (the next day) his AMPS was 255, and then all day, his numbers stayed pretty close to that (204, 209, 225, 247). We call that a flat cycle because it looks like the insulin isn't doing anything. However, that's a very normal response to the bounce from the night before.
When that happens, you have to just ignore the lack of response, and stick with the same dose. It can take up to six cycles for the bounce to clear. During those cycles, it will look like the insulin isn't working. But you stick with the same dose anyway because the cat needs time to recover from the bounce. You'll know the bounce has cleared, when the BG starts to respond to the insulin again.
This is why we generally don't recommend changing dose in reaction to the number you see during the PS - because the numbers aren't just individual numbers, they are part of a larger pattern, and being able to see the big picture is important in deciding what dose to give.
It takes awhile to get enough data to know how your cat will respond, so being very cautious about dose changes in the early weeks is super important.
Sam only takes about two or three cycles to clear a bounce. Lots of kitties take the full six cycles. We won't know how Chloe responds until we have a lot more data to look at.
So we've already talked about bouncing as it relates to the BG numbers dropping and rising sharply. But there is a second part of bouncing that you need to understand.
BOUNCING - PART II
After a kitty has had a sharp drop, the next cycles may be high and flat. This is how the kitty's body tries to recover from the drama of the bounce.
On Sam's spreadsheet you can see that during the PM cycle on 3/5/17, he went from a PMPS of 386, to a nadir of 84. Now 84 is still a safe number, but it's more than a 50% drop, and it's lower than his body was used to at that point. Those two factors (more than 50% drop and lower than the cat is used to) cause him to bounce. Now during that cycle, I went to sleep, so I didn't get the test that would have shown his number go high, so just imagine that part.
In the morning, of 3/6/17 (the next day) his AMPS was 255, and then all day, his numbers stayed pretty close to that (204, 209, 225, 247). We call that a flat cycle because it looks like the insulin isn't doing anything. However, that's a very normal response to the bounce from the night before.
When that happens, you have to just ignore the lack of response, and stick with the same dose. It can take up to six cycles for the bounce to clear. During those cycles, it will look like the insulin isn't working. But you stick with the same dose anyway because the cat needs time to recover from the bounce. You'll know the bounce has cleared, when the BG starts to respond to the insulin again.
This is why we generally don't recommend changing dose in reaction to the number you see during the PS - because the numbers aren't just individual numbers, they are part of a larger pattern, and being able to see the big picture is important in deciding what dose to give.
It takes awhile to get enough data to know how your cat will respond, so being very cautious about dose changes in the early weeks is super important.
Sam only takes about two or three cycles to clear a bounce. Lots of kitties take the full six cycles. We won't know how Chloe responds until we have a lot more data to look at.
Djamila
Member Since 2015
And here are a couple of graphs that might help if you prefer visuals:
This graph shows what a typical curve should look like when using Prozinc. This curve is from an owner that tested every hour. You don't need to to test every hour every day, but getting regular mid-cycle tests is the only way to know if Chloe is getting good cycles. Remember that this type of curve doesn't happen every single cycle. They only happen on responsive cycles. During bounce cycles you'll see flatter curves. That's why getting mid-cycles regularly is so important - you could miss these if you only get tests once in awhile.
This is what Bounce curve might look like:
And this is what a flat curve might look like:
This graph shows what a typical curve should look like when using Prozinc. This curve is from an owner that tested every hour. You don't need to to test every hour every day, but getting regular mid-cycle tests is the only way to know if Chloe is getting good cycles. Remember that this type of curve doesn't happen every single cycle. They only happen on responsive cycles. During bounce cycles you'll see flatter curves. That's why getting mid-cycles regularly is so important - you could miss these if you only get tests once in awhile.
This is what Bounce curve might look like:
And this is what a flat curve might look like:
srk4cats
Member Since 2017
I finally got a urine test! She is negative for ketones! But her glucose came out brown when normal is blue. The other one that's very off-color is spe.grav/density. Hemolysis is high, pH is slightly acidic, protein is ++30?, nitrites are normal, and leukocytes are very high. Does that mean she has an infection?
Also, I can't find the page on my SS for lab results. I know it was there before. There are already figures in there, but those are probably the normal ranges. How do I get the lab page back?
btw, ty, ty, ty. You are all very patient with me.
Also, I can't find the page on my SS for lab results. I know it was there before. There are already figures in there, but those are probably the normal ranges. How do I get the lab page back?
btw, ty, ty, ty. You are all very patient with me.
Yong & Maury GA
Member Since 2017
I still see the Labs tab on your SS
StephG
Member Since 2016
My vet uses the strips but other members on here have said they are not reliable for UTI detection.
Are you adding extra water to her diet? If not, I think you should. It can't really hurt to add a few tablespoons of water a day. Chuck gets 4 tablespoons in his food per cycle. He's not at the fountain as much now.
Are you adding extra water to her diet? If not, I think you should. It can't really hurt to add a few tablespoons of water a day. Chuck gets 4 tablespoons in his food per cycle. He's not at the fountain as much now.
srk4cats
Member Since 2017
If you get the AMPS number, and give a dose that is too low, then a diabetic cat would have BG numbers that rise after eating, and then slowly over the day, the BG would stay more or less the same, or slowly go down until the PMPS. The numbers would be too high all day. If that goes on for weeks and months, it will make the cat sick.
I'm thinking that this is the problem after doing the +5.
I'm thinking that this is the problem after doing the +5.
StephG
Member Since 2016
While that is a possibility, your previous tests show that the 1 unit can work.
The only way to see if she needs more is by testing more.
In my opinion +4 to +7 is the prime time to test on prozinc. It's at full activity and close to nadir. If others disagree, please don't hesitate to say so.
You hold the syringe so you make the decision. But please make sure it's a safe one by planning on a few mid cycle tests on the first increased cycle. I also strongly suggest doing it on AM cycle first. They tend to go lower at night.
I would still get a +3 or +4 on pm cycles after the increase if you decide to do it.
Once you see lower preshots, in the 200s, you will need to get a few tests on that cycle too. 1.5 units can act much stronger on a 200s vs a 300+.
Anyone else have anything to add or disagree with?
srk4cats
Member Since 2017
They tend to go lower at night? The AMPS have been the highest for the past several days. I'm going to increase to 1.5 tomorrow AMPS if she is higher than 299.
StephG
Member Since 2016
Some cats do. Not all.
Testing at night is the best way to see how much she drops at night.
Please get some tests in tomorrow if you increase. It's possible she could just need a little push to get back to better numbers and get the fat 1 unit working better... Time and tests will tell.
The variation from day to day or week to week is one of the frustrating parts of FD.
Edited to add: looking at Chuck's SS shows most of his green numbers are after 9pm. Rarely has greens during the daytime.
Djamila
Member Since 2015
If you are going to increase, please please listen to Steph's counsel to get mid-cycle tests in. First, to keep Chloe safe, and second to get the data to know if it's working. It doesn't do any good to move the dose around without getting the data you need to see if it's doing what you intend.
Also, dose increases are recommended to be 0.25 at a time, not 0.5 at a time, so if you're going to increase, I would recommend going to 1.25 for several cycles first. The smaller increase give Chloe's body time to adjust to the change in hormones. Moving 0.5 at a time can be hard on them.
Also, dose increases are recommended to be 0.25 at a time, not 0.5 at a time, so if you're going to increase, I would recommend going to 1.25 for several cycles first. The smaller increase give Chloe's body time to adjust to the change in hormones. Moving 0.5 at a time can be hard on them.
srk4cats
Member Since 2017
I thought a fat 1 is the same as a 1.25 and that it would be a .25 increase to 1.5. Oh, and she eats like there's no tomorrow! and cries for more!
Djamila
Member Since 2015
The most important thing is that you're consistent in how you are pulling the dose. So if a 0.25 increase from where you are now is 1.5, then that's fine as long as her numbers warrant it, and you are going to get some mid-cycle tests to know if it's safe and working.
As for the food, how much are you feeding her, what are you feeding her, and when are you feeding her?
Kris & Teasel
Member Since 2016
Roberta, these people have been giving you excellent advice. I know that you want to get Chloe regulated or, even better, into remission. They're giving you the exact steps to follow but you're the one who actually has to carry them out. A structured testing routine and careful dosing is the way to get there - there's no escaping that reality.
srk4cats
Member Since 2017
This morning she's at 157. Still eating like crazy. I haven't weighed her, but I can tell she's putting on some weight. What's that flap to the rear of the belly called? She's getting that again.
OK, Kris, Steph, and Djmila. I trust your advice. I'm doing the best I can. I'm not a very structured person, generally.
Rachel
Member Since 2013
To help Chloe, you will just have to force yourself to be more structured. We've had plenty of people here who have issues following a routine, but they found a way to do so to help their baby. You'll need to figure out what works best for you, be that setting alarms to test, writing down instructions to leave by the syringes, being late to events to make sure Chloe gets her insulin at the correct time, etc.
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