glucometer giving false readings/stressed.

[SweetAngel]

well, after a really stressful 2 days (mainly MY health luckily, not Angel's), something was bothering me about the glucometer readings.

If there is not enough blood to test, it is supposed to show an error message (E-2), which it has on occasions. I just tested him and it showed 6.6 (119) but the blood hadn't completely filled the strip. Sometimes that has happened before but because no error message appeared I assumed it was ok. I just wasn't happy tonight so got a bigger drop of blood from the other ear and it showed 10 (180) (still not a bad result at all for +5). But now I'm wondering how many times I've tested him meaninglessly, because there hasn't been enough blood. I'm vaguely reassured looking at the curve my vet did on Thurs, but this is just not what I need right now. If I hadn't already had an extreme rant earlier today I think I'd be in bits, but I'm emotionally exhausted coz so many 'little' things have gone wrong today.

Just in case you feel like listening to my rant: I'm coughing until I vomit acid every day due to lpr and everything tastes bad. Specialist cannot see me for 3 weeks, already been waiting 6 weeks. Yesterday I realised I'd I ran out of sleeping meds and was awake until 6am. There was supposed to be a prescription waiting for me and the surgery 'lost it' the pharmacy gave me 6 as an emergency supply but I'm away in 2 days and don't think I'll get chance to get back to pick prescription up.

Have to take Angel to my friends Wed, I don't drive and there are NO direct trains apart from rush hour. They can't pick him up as they both work, and I HAVE to get him there early evening at the latest so I can speak to my friend and give her instructions as she has to go to a meeting in the evening. My 2 local friends who drive, one is working lates and one has her car in for repair. So looks like poor Angel will be subjected to a cab, train 1, a 20 minute wait, and train 2. It's an hour's drive and I can't afford a cab. My friend MAY have her car back but probably not. AAAAARGH!

Oh well, one more med to try, lanzaprozole (prilosec) and omeprozole (prevacid) did nothing so started on ranitidine (zantac) tonight. But being as I just coughed more acid up I won't hold my hopes up. I sooo want to be well, not just for me but for my cats.

Rant over and thanks for reading/putting up with me x

 

[BJM]

Re the reflux:

If you're not already doing these, the following may help:

Prop up the head end of the bed a few inches - a 2x4 plank works pretty well, or bricks
Sleep on your back or your left side - helps keep the reflux less severe.
Avoid eating within 3 hours of bedtime so food has a chance to move out of the stomach.

Some folks with GI issues find slippery elm and/or aloe juice helpful in soothing the stomach.

 

[sophie]

Hello Cassandra,

biefly, re stomach acid in humans. I've had good experience using 100% Aloe Vera juice (of course, not jelly) for my own 'innards' issues, though they were never as severe as yours. I used inexpensive juice from a regular supermarket (nasty taste but I habituated quickly). I hesitated to suggest it you because you're on quite a few meds. I don't know if any interactions would be inadvisable in your situation. Wishing you good sleep and health.

Best wishes,
Sophie

 

[SweetAngel]

thank you both so much, just a quick reply as I'm in the middle of sorting out my stuff for my trip.

First off, got a lovely drop of blood from Angel at +4.5 and he tested at 3.9 / 70. That's the lowest since the hypo (which probably wasn't even a hypo) so I planned to watch him and test him again in 2 hours. Meanwhile I was on the phone to the taxi discount company to see if they could take us tomorrow and they said because I hadn't used them in 18 months my account had been suspended. At some point Angel sneaked upstairs and when I went up he was cuddled next to Lianna and her EMPTY dish of dry food (luckily there hadn't been much in it and she may have emptied it herself. So I tested him again (at +6) and he was 4.3 / 77. I'm seeing it as good rather than bad, and I assume he didn't get any of Lianna's food, but I'm going to test him again in a couple of hours.

2nd, I've realised that since Angel was diagnosed, I've been forgetting to take my milk thistle, that really helped with the symptoms last year. So I've started taking it again. Of course with the worry about getting Angel to my friends place the stress is rising, it's about 45 mins by car so you can imagine a cab would be a fortune!! Of course I've been in tears (drama queen) and no packing has been done. I've already paid for this weekend and I can't cancel, plus i desperately need a break. Praying my friend gets her car back!

xx

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Sounds like you're having quite a day, Cassandra.

I do hope you get the transport sorted out for tomorrow... (keeping fingers crossed that all goes well).

Will Angel's cat-sitter be OK with testing him while you're away? Or is sh/e just giving shots?
S/he would be most welcome to post on this forum while you're away if in need of advice or reassurance.

Here's hoping you do manage to get a good break. You deserve it.

Eliz

 

[SweetAngel]

thanks Eliz,

Julie is a registered nurse and even has her own glucometer, will take mine anyway though. Had lovely low readings post shot for Angel, but in 12 hours he had gone up to 20.1 / 362. Maybe he did get some of the dry food after all. I'll give Trevor (Julie's partner) the details of this board as he's the computer expert.

My friend still doesn't have the car back so I'm going to risk the first direct train tomorrow evening and hope there is room. I'm still no way packed or ready. The doctor called me back and told me to go straight round, he said in his opinion it is definitely LPR. He's given me some meds to take along with the others that will basically almost 'lock' the stomach so no acid will escape, it's just temp until I see the specialist. I haven't been quite as bad today despite the stress, don't know if that's due to the ranitidene or the milk thistle...

Oh well, will stay up as long as I can and get as much done today as poss.

xx

 

[housecats4]

Sending you tons and tons of positive light to help you get Angel to sitters lows numbers stay low.....sounds like a dry food attack.....happen to Trey more then once.....tons of healing green light surround you and that friend has car back in time.. :YMSIGH: Have a worry free week end Hugssssss Kath