Frankie is Legal!!!

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Dan and Frankie

Member Since 2013
Just got back from the Vet with Script in hand for Glargine!!! There is no specific about pens or vial. Do I instruct the Pharmacists? Also where is the Cheapest to buy it? Is it sold in generic (glargine), or only as Lantus? Can someone tell me how it works if I get the pens again? I guess you have to disassemble them and use them like a vial? Do I want pens? Will they last longer? How many come in a package? Sorry for all the Q's...

Anyways Quick update on Frankie... as you can se on her SS. She has been hanging out in the yellows pretty consistently, where the past couple months she had been very regularly in the blues and greens. I have not had a chance to run much for curves over the past month and a half as The last part of June Amy was in the Hospital trying to keep the babies in, alas they were born on the Fourth of July and were in the NICU for 2 1/2 weeks and since they came come we have been adjusting.

Frankie was 4Lb 2oz when diagnosed in Late February. Today she Weighed 6Lb 9oz!!!! She is happy, healthy and I could not have done it with out FDMB. The Vet was like, "Never heard of it" seemed pretty impressed at the in depth approach, was not so keen using a Human Glucometer and refrained from telling me I did a good job (because you know they would have preferred to make more money off of me) but did say that Frankie looks good. I allowed them to do a fructosamine Test, kind of gave in a little to get what I needed which was the script, but I guess the Fructosamine test will give a different angle of her health. So I got out of there only for a consult and the lab for the fructosamine at $114 total. But there recommended a dental cleaning which totaled almost $500!! Is there any thing I can do to take better care of her teeth? I didn't even know that she had lost one of her Canines. Since I have 2 cats (sisters), they would probably both need a cleaning and I certainly can't afford $1000 for their teeth. Any thoughts?

Thanks again for everything!!
 
Get the pens - 3mL (300 units) and you'll use it to the last drop before it wimps out.

Congrats on Frankie's weight gain! Go Frankie, go!!!
 
I've heard some people say that some Target stores will sell the pens individually too, but most places will only sell them in boxes of 5 pens. Prices DO vary from pharmacy to pharmacy too! My small neighborhood pharmacy was cheaper than WalMart!

You can also sign up for the Lantus Savings card, which will bring your first 6 prescriptions down to only $25 each. The link to get the card is here Lantus Savings Card

If I remember right, you need to say you're a cash customer (no insurance) and that you're either over 18 or caring for a child

Good luck!!

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BABIES!!!
 
Check a hospital pharmacy - we got an individual pen there. You can brush a cat's teeth. We use a q-tip and biotene. There is a video from Cornell University that is pretty good. Frankie's higher numbers could be due to dental issues. Maybe just her teeth done since she is the diabetic?

Babies? As in 2? I hope all are doing well! :-D :-D
Liz
 
I see you're in the Phoenix area. I get single pens from the Frye's pharmacy. I called around in the beginning - Frye's was also the cheapest price I could find. I switched to pens after using a few vials. I like the pens better because there is less jostling for the insulin and they are a tighter vessel (no air). I even dropped a brand new pen in the parking lot one day and I was still able to use the entire thing without issue. You don't have to dismantle the pen. You simply use it as you would a vial - stick the syringe into the bottom of it and suck out some joos. There is a video somewhere that shows how to properly draw up a dose...

*edit: here's the link to the info on storage and handling. It includes a video on how to handle each kind. It's a sticky at the top of the Lantus forum http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151
 
Dan,
DON'T let them sell you the 'pen needles' - those are for humans, you can't use them. They can vary by too much. When you take off the pen cap and remove the cover, there's the little rubber seal like the vials. You do NOT shoot air into the pens like you do with a vial! Pens work on negative pressure.
 
Umm so I signed the lantus card up under my son's name because I didn't know if they would deny the card if it was for a cat... So I'm at target right now and they do split pens... They have not verified the card yet... I'm afraid I'm going to be arrested if the notice the discrepancy. Yes it's two babies... Identical twin boys.... Everyone is doing great... Except me because I am having a hard time going back to work... And I am now the sole provider... Wish me luck.
 
Hey Dan!

How great to hear from you. And woo-hoo on the weight gain!!! I hope all is well with everybody there. Give Frankie a squeeze from me!
 
TheBowHuntress said:
Hey Dan!

How great to hear from you. And woo-hoo on the weight gain!!! I hope all is well with everybody there. Give Frankie a squeeze from me!
Click to expand...

Kat... So awesome to see Gobbles is OTJ! Every is good... Just been a very busy and trying time for us. I'm hoping to get Frankie back on track too... I know that is going to take some close monitoring in the beginning... But I know I can do it.
 
I'm afraid I'm going to be arrested if the notice the discrepancy
Click to expand...

Let us know if we should take up a collection for bail :lol:

I think the worst that would happen is the pharmacy would refuse to honor it and make you pay cash though. I know I've seen lots of others using the savings card, and haven't seen any of them posting from behind bars :-D
 
I have the discount card and wasn't arrested!!

Don't disassemble the pen. When you take the plastic cap off, there is a small rubber gasket in the end. You use a syringe and draw the insulin from the pen the same way you would with a vial.

Is there any way you can start to get some spot checks? If you can't get them during the day, can you get them during the PM cycle? Lantus dosing is based on the nadir and there's no way to know if Frankie is getting the right amount of insulin based on your pre-test data only.
 
I'm well aware of how lantus works... I have been unable to do spot checks curves because of work and being in and out of the hospital with my wife and the babies... I would not ask my wife to try test the cat and manage the babies... I did mention that I will be monitoring her more closely which meant more curves and spot checks... Especially with new, more potent insulin.
 
There's nothing illegal with using the savings card. I did. It does not say anywhere on it that its for humans only :-D The worse they can tell you is No....
 
For the dentals (which are pretty important...especially for diabetics...gum/tooth infections can really make BG soar and can bring a kitty that's OTJ right back where they started)
I did a little searching for low cost clinics in the Phoenix area because I know they have several here in VA. This is one I found
http://www.azpaws.org/Dental.html that you might like to check out. Their prices are about half of what your vet quoted...still not cheap, but they
do have to put kitty under total anesthesia which is pricey in itself. Maybe you can ask around to see if anyone has used them and their opinion of their services.
 
Thats awesome... I will ask around as well, I am pretty well connected with several vet techs and my neighbors are rescue addicts... so I'm sure someone has hear of them or can recommend someone. Thank you!!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top