Hi all! Need some PZI info.

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nckitties3

nckitties3

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For those that don't know me or Lucian, we've been in Relaxed Lantus for over a year now. Going thru Lantus and Levemir, which did help a little more than Lantus, but only for a few short months.

I have PZI available from my vet and will pick it up in the next couple days, we've had snow, ice and below freezing temps, which is pretty rare here, but I refuse to drive in it. I'm from FL, when the roads are bad, I stay home. ;-)

I've read the stickies and maybe someone with experience in PZI can elaborate. Am I understanding correctly that it doesn't last 12 hrs? Is there the possibility of him needing more than 2 shots a day? Etc, etc.

For those unfamiliar, my Lucian has refused to be a good diabetic kitty, don't think he read the book. ;-) He bounced something crazy on Lantus, mellowed a little on Lev, but in the 5th month, it all went downhill. After a vet visit and being tested for everything known to veterinary science, decided to try, yet again, a different insulin. They could find nothing wrong with him that would cause him to not respond correctly, but that's my Lucian, been that way since DX. So now we've been battling since 3rd week in Nov and finally got in the PZI that I need to pick up as soon as roads are safe again. I do believe the PZI is a 100U also, not the 40.

Anyone that wants to throw me some info, I and Lucian, would certainly appreciate it.
 
Note to All: I replied to Debbie's pm and gave her the protocol.

So do you think you have the BCP PZI that is U100? If so, your syringes should work fine with it and you can fine tune doses.

In a few cats, PZI does not last 12 hours. Cassie (Bookworm) was on a TID schedule for awhile and then settled back in and is now on .8 units a day and well regulated. You might check out her ss. If you get some data and figure out Lucian is not bouncing but the insulin is petering out before +12, then TID is an option. If he has been difficult to regulate on the Ls, that may be an advantage of PZI for him, to have that option.

But I'd try a few days or maybe weeks of BID first and get some data. The other nice thing about PZI is that you don't have to wait a week to change a dose. If in three cycles, you aren't seeing a nice drop, you can increase.

Bouncing is also popular with PZI kitties, just like everyone else. Check out some of the spreadsheets to see how others are dealing with it.

The nice thing about PZI is that it is adaptable. If something is not working, you can try something else. Sliding scales work for some cats. Shooting through the bounce works for some cats. It's all about adapting it to meet Lucian's needs. Hopefully we'll be able to help you do that.
 
Thanks Sue and everyone.

Changing from Lantus to Lev was nothing. About the only difference is the later onset and nadir. But it did make for a MUCH smoother cycle, until it went south in November. Until Lev, Lucian was all over and super bouncy! He did so much better on the Lev, we even whispered the R word. :o Then BAM! it all went over the edge! No matter the dose, he just climbed higher, couldn't get him back under control.

Vet even had me take him off insulin entirely for 48 hrs, to see if he could go on his own, since the increase made him worse. No such luck.

When I found the free offer for Vets, I emailed it too her and she applied for it and it's now in her fridge at the office, waiting for me to pick it up. :thumbup

Tomorrow I'll run a curve and see if ya'll can help me figure out a starting point for Lucian's dose. Will also pick up the PZI tomorrow, since the roads should be clear about early afternoon.

So, any suggestions to get us started?

I truly appreciate the help from everyone. :YMHUG:
 
Welcome to our PZI forum! Glad to have ya! Sue has given great info, so let us know if you have questions. I know nothing about lantus or levemir so I can't tell what will change for you. I can tell you what I liked about ProZinc was that I could adjust based on data. Nadir is most important for our adjustments...so as many of those as you can get would be good.

There are several wonderful people who check here daily and advise. I offer timid advice when I can...never got Gypsy regulated and she was one oddball cat in terms of numbers...so I feel ya!
 
@Sue, that works for me, he's on 1U Lev at the moment, so if that seems like a good starting point, that's what I'll plan for Friday.
As for having time to monitor, I'm home 90% of the time although I'll have a short class for a couple days, twice next month, but it's just for the afternoon and should Lucian be running low, I'll blow it off, like I do any time he's having an issue. There is nothing that I won't, and haven't already, blown off for my boy, including Dr's and attorney's appts.

So, as I see it, tomorrow run curve and pick up PZI and start with 1 unit on Friday morning.......it's a start. :-D

I am so hoping that the PZI will work for him, we're running out of options. :sad:

@Rachel, thanks for the welcome!
 
Welcome to the PZI group, Debbie & Lucian!

We are a smaller group than the L's, but just like them, we are all here to help you. cat_pet_icon

When you start your PZI/ProZinc, make sure you make a large note on your ss and in your signature. Also, let us know the exact type of PZI-type insulin you have...might have to use a conversion chart (we have one) if it is U40 type...to use U100 syringes.

Looking forward to getting Lucian's psychedelic-colors down to calming blues and greens. :smile:
 
Oh Misty, you must have seen his SS. :lol: Yup, he's a colorful boy, putting it nicely. ;-)

Best I know, it's the U100 PZI, but that's all I know at the moment. I have 100 units to play with and see if we, the vet and I, think it'll help him. It's gotten to the point that the Vet does what I ask, since she says I know my cat better than she does, which is true. Which is why she got the free 100 unit sample for Lucian. It's not costing either of us anything to try it and see if it works.

Relaxed Lantus is pretty quiet too, but Levemir is a dead zone! :lol: That and the fact that I was already in RL, is why I've stayed. Even if I'm here, I'll still be there. If not for Mel, we wouldn't have made it thru the last year. Seems there is one of those on every board. ;-) Mel referred me to Sue and if she thinks that highly, I'm sure we're in good hands.

Nice to meet everyone. Unless there are some drastic changes, you'll probably see the craziest kitty ever in my Lucian! :o
 
I know you all will take good care of my Lucian and his mom just expect me to be lurking in the rafters for awhile so I can learn too. Since if my Autumn doesn't get her act together soon we might be here too. lol

Mel and The Fur Gang
 
Thanks hon.

Picking up the PZI after lunch and planning to start tomorrow. nailbite_smile This is a whole 'nuther ballgame. :o
 
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