? Help me understand the numbers

[Martha K]

Hi, all. I can't really get a grasp on what's happening with Jibaro's numbers. Hoping someone has advice.

His curve seems to be 24 hours rather than 12. (I'll try to attach a graph I made over the last three days so you see what I mean.) I understand about the insulin depot (well, I sort of understand it), but I"m not sure what to do about it. I guess he has a really long overlap? Do any cats on Lantus get 18- or 24-hours doses, or is that verboten? Or ought I to consider one of the other , shorter-acting insulins? Or is this OK and normal? I also understand about bouncing, but this seems to go on forever. (BTW, he gets 1.5 units every 12 hours and I'm pretty good about keeping on schedule. There was a little weirdness over these days because of switching to Daylight Savings Time here in East Coast U.S.)

I know I should talk to my vet about these things, but wanted to get your takes beforehand.

As always, thanks so much for your time and wisdom.

 

[Stacy & Asia]

Can't offer any advice for you, but bumping

 

[DebG]

Looks like to me the higher numbers are a result of the nice blue cycles and reacting to the length of how long he was in blue. It's a natural reaction to his body not use to being in the lower number. The longer times he is in lower numbers than his body will go ok this is normal and you could see less bouncing. Keep following the SLGS protocol your doing great!
I see no reason to change insulin's. I think you haven't hit the right dose yet.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

If you are following the SLGS method for dosing, Jiharo earned a reduction down to 1.25 units on October 28th, by going under 90. Having said that, he had a lovely day cycle yesterday.

By the way, his cycles are common and normal - it is OK. Just frustrating at first to figure out. It is extremely common for kitties to go lower at night and bounce during the day. Neko once did that for 3 months in a row with no break - going low and sometimes earning reductions at night then bouncing during the day. It's the reason I always recommend at least a second test in at night. Getting one before bed is a good one. So many of our cats are nocturnal and go lower at night. Since we determine the Lantus dose based on how low it takes the cat, we have to try to test at the times they go lower.

And kitties take their own time figuring out long they'll keep bouncing. Some do it practically forever. My girl just reduced how high she bounced, but almost always bounced a little bit, and that took years on insulin. Jiharo's body just has to get more used to normal lower numbers. In his own time frame.

The good news is that Jiharo is taking less time to get over his bounces. And he is sometimes getting good duration.

 

[Martha K]

Looks like to me the higher numbers are a result of the nice blue cycles and reacting to the length of how long he was in blue. It's a natural reaction to his body not use to being in the lower number. The longer times he is in lower numbers than his body will go ok this is normal and you could see less bouncing. Keep following the SLGS protocol your doing great!
I see no reason to change insulin's. I think you haven't hit the right dose yet.

Thank you so much!! That's a huge relief. Really appreciate the answer.

 

[Martha K]

If you are following the SLGS method for dosing, Jiharo earned a reduction down to 1.25 units on October 28th, by going under 90. Having said that, he had a lovely day cycle yesterday.

By the way, his cycles are common and normal - it is OK. Just frustrating at first to figure out. It is extremely common for kitties to go lower at night and bounce during the day. Neko once did that for 3 months in a row with no break - going low and sometimes earning reductions at night then bouncing during the day. It's the reason I always recommend at least a second test in at night. Getting one before bed is a good one. So many of our cats are nocturnal and go lower at night. Since we determine the Lantus dose based on how low it takes the cat, we have to try to test at the times they go lower.

And kitties take their own time figuring out long they'll keep bouncing. Some do it practically forever. My girl just reduced how high she bounced, but almost always bounced a little bit, and that took years on insulin. Jiharo's body just has to get more used to normal lower numbers. In his own time frame.

The good news is that Jiharo is taking less time to get over his bounces. And he is sometimes getting good duration.

Thank you!! It is certainly frustrating. But a big relief to know the cycles are OK, and he will get over bounces eventually. Much appreciated.

 

[Martha K]

If you are following the SLGS method for dosing, Jiharo earned a reduction down to 1.25 units on October 28th, by going under 90. Having said that, he had a lovely day cycle yesterday.

By the way, his cycles are common and normal - it is OK. Just frustrating at first to figure out. It is extremely common for kitties to go lower at night and bounce during the day. Neko once did that for 3 months in a row with no break - going low and sometimes earning reductions at night then bouncing during the day. It's the reason I always recommend at least a second test in at night. Getting one before bed is a good one. So many of our cats are nocturnal and go lower at night. Since we determine the Lantus dose based on how low it takes the cat, we have to try to test at the times they go lower.

And kitties take their own time figuring out long they'll keep bouncing. Some do it practically forever. My girl just reduced how high she bounced, but almost always bounced a little bit, and that took years on insulin. Jiharo's body just has to get more used to normal lower numbers. In his own time frame.

The good news is that Jiharo is taking less time to get over his bounces. And he is sometimes getting good duration.

Oh, also, you mentioned about the earned reduction. It's true that I didn't reduce the dose according to SLGS (I forgot to check the protocol). Now, is that reduction to keep him safe from hypo? I almost want to keep him at 1.5 since he's getting the blue numbers, but of course don't want to put him in any danger. I SO wish that I could do tight regulation, but with a long commute to work I just don't think it's safe.

 

[Gill & George]

Now, is that reduction to keep him safe from hypo

Short answer is yes.

You do a great job of monitoring him when you are home, but during the working week I can see that it must be difficult to get those midcycle tests in.
I understand you wanting to hold on to the dose as it seems to be getting him into nice numbers, one way of doing that would be to adopt TR, but you would need to get at least one test on every cycle, is that possible for you to do?

Have a read of this sticky on doing TR when you have a full time job, see if you think you are able to make it work for you.http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...ion-possible-with-a-full-time-job-yes.129378/

If your schedule doesn't allow for it then for the sake of safety you would want to adhere to the slgs guidelines and take the reduction.

 

[Martha K]

Short answer is yes.

You do a great job of monitoring him when you are home, but during the working week I can see that it must be difficult to get those midcycle tests in.
I understand you wanting to hold on to the dose as it seems to be getting him into nice numbers, one way of doing that would be to adopt TR, but you would need to get at least one test on every cycle, is that possible for you to do?

Have a read of this sticky on doing TR when you have a full time job, see if you think you are able to make it work for you.http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...ion-possible-with-a-full-time-job-yes.129378/

If your schedule doesn't allow for it then for the sake of safety you would want to adhere to the slgs guidelines and take the reduction.

Thanks very much. I will look at that post and try to work something out. I understand that I have to get at least one test in during the cycle to keep him safe from hypo, if I want to do TR.