Home Testing Help - Unbelievable!

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Re: Home Testing Help - Success at Last!

Hallelujah! Not only did I get blood, it was enough to test! WOOT! WOOT! WOOT!

No burrito (just tucked hips under my elbow so no easy escape and stroked with free hand while Poopy laid across my lap)
Warmed and massaged ear
Placed folded paper towel inside ear
Poked outside ear near outside edge
Scooped up that beautiful drop of blood with my fingernail while stroking Poopy with other hand
Let Poopy "escape" to run to food bowl bcatrun_gif
Placed strip in meter and sucked that beautiful blood right up!
PMPS 243!
Fed the Poopster and now hear I am!

WOOHOO! Doing happy dance! :RAHCAT flip_cat dancing_cat party_cat drinking24

Thank you all so very, very much! I feel like crying. :-D
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Fantastic! Welcome to the Vampire Club. :RAHCAT :RAHCAT (secret decoder ring will arrive soon. :mrgreen: )

Not a bad number. Where in the cycle?
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

And then I realize I can look it up on your spreadsheet which you already have!

I would stick with the one unit for tonight. It would be very helpful to get a number around mid cycle (5-6 hours after the shot if at all possible.) That will give us an idea on how this dose is working- how low he goes. Then we can see whether we need to adjust the dose up or down.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Yes, tomorrow Poopy will be my new little pin cushion...tested every two hours.

I am so excited!

I also posted over in the ProZinc forum, introducing the Poopster and about the vet wanting to double his dose (still doesn't make sense to me, doubling it).

And a decoder ring? WOOHOO! Jackpot!
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

I use a cotton ball on the front of the ear and poke Mikey on the back of the ear. The lancet pen didn't work worth beans for me; it's MUCH easier to use the plain lancet because you can see exactly where you're poking. Don't worry if you do hit the main vein; he may bruise a little, but you will get a good drop.

My cat HATES being tested (slaps me with he declawed feeties and howls like I'm killing him), but he never holds a grudge! Mikey isn't a lap cat, so I test him on the kitchen island, where the light is best. I try to alternate ears. I face him so the ear I want to poke is the outside ear, and use that arm to pin him to my side. I'm right handed, so I hold the cotton ball against his ear with my left hand and the lancet in my right. I hold him so that if he gets squirmy, he can only back up, and then he hits the end of the counter. I poke quickly and then massage the area to get the droplet. My meter takes so tiny a drop that even when I think it couldn't possibly be enough, it usually is. If I don't get enough, I aim another poke as close to the first as I can get. As soon as I have the blood, I drop the lancet and pick up the loaded meter, keeping him pinned to my side. I get the draw and let him go and give him a freeze dried chicken or shrimp treat. He's terrible, but I always get the test. If he really struggles, I scruff him for a couple of seconds and it calms him enough to finish.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Alrighty. Tomorrow is another day. Tried 3 more times tonight to get BGs and could only get too small of drops of blood to test (8, 9 and 10). At least I know it can be done and will continue on tomorrow. I've tried the multiple pokes, only twice for each ear. Still not enough blood for testing. It will get better. It helps that his numbers aren't sky high or bottom low. :)

Thankfully Poopy is also declawed (long story - I don't usually declaw my cats) so I'm not shredded meat. And he doesn't stay angry with me....who would get him his food? LOL

As I have shared before, Poopy is a smart cat. He's fine when I pick him up, but when I head to the microwave to grab the rice sock he starts talking to me. Warming his ear is a bit of a struggle but manageable. When I trade out the sock for the folded paper towel and lance pen he struggles and talks a bit more but still manageable. At least he's not fighting me tooth and...well...no nails. :)

Thank you all again for your help and support. It means the world to me...and will to Poopy too. :)
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

You could use the rice sock as a base to poke against instead of switching over to the paper towel?
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

LOL. Now, why didn't I think of that? LOL

I will do so for his next poke session. Got blood this morning but still not enough for the meter to read. :( And I'd already poked him 4-5 times and he was an angry little kitty so we will try again in an hour two. I must have hit a vein for yesterday's number as he has a small scab in that area now. BTW, I did switch back to the larger lance. May take a trip to the store to buy the even larger ones.

I keep hearing the chant, "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity". So, I'll add rice to the sock, get bigger lances and go from there. :)
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Do you have have some Neosporin with pain relief for his ears, Teresa? You can put a tiny thin smear on. And holding the ears for a few seconds after poking helps with the bruising/ scabbing.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Kept with the folded paper towel as I have more control over the ear than with the rice sock (even with more rice). It helps when I can firmly hold the ear against the paper towel to get a good aim, and to keep him from escaping the grip. Massaged the lower part of the ear after the poke since it gave a bit of blood to get enough for meter to test. Woot! Success! 234 +2.5. Will test again in a couple hours.

I do put a small amount of antibiotic ointment on his ears after poking, and he grooms himself right after eating his treat. Not sure I'm comfortable with that. May switch to the cream so I can get it all rubbed in - less for him to lick off while grooming.

Progress. :smile:
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Yeah! i had failure, failure, failure, failure, success and then failure with jose', too. & now every day success! it really did take me nearly two weeks before i was proficient consistently. i did give up on the lancet pen - it was of no use to me even with the highest/deepest setting. you will find the combination that works for you and poopy.

is that your poopster with a leash on in the avatar? i am super impressed! i have tried that with a few cats. one would curl up like she was paralyzed & let me drag her around. don't get a bad visual, she was in a harness & it was a tile floor & i only did it for a few feet. tried it several times with the same result. she beat me with her wily kitty ways. that was more than twenty-three years ago & i can still see her in that harness.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Can't remember if I have mentioned the empty prescription pill bottle. Filled with hot water it warms the ear and provides a great back drop for the poke?
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

I'll give the pill bottle a try. :)

And, yes, that's the Poopmeister on a lead in his harness. And, yes, the lead is a coated steel cable with a dog clip. Poopy is a big boy. :-D When he reaches up to me, for me to pick him up like he's a toddler, his front paws reach my upper hip/lower waist. That's reaching up well over 3 feet! BTW, he enjoys me holding him on my hip, just like a toddler, so he can see over my shoulder, or snuggle into my neck for lovings.

Just measured the Poop, as much as he'd let me...you know how inappropriate that is to do, right? Sheesh. I'm napping here, Ma!...and he's 22 inches from nose to base of tail (probably 23 or 24 since he was scrunching, trying to get me to leave him alone), and over 3 feet from nose to tip of tail.

To harness train a cat...much like getting regular BGs....takes patience and perseverance. Put the halter on and leave him alone. At first, he will flop like he's been weighted down, wounded, or embarrassed beyond belief. It also helps if you don't laugh at him. He does remember that, you know. After an hour or two, remove the halter, if you can catch him (because now he's up and moving around, trying to ignore the indignation). Put the halter on every day, and leave it on for longer durations.

Once the halter is no big deal, add the leash. Let him lay there, if he wishes, for as long as he'd like. If he'll move with it on, especially if you have a toy you can tempt him with, let him lead you around. Start to coax him where you'd like to go, and using a toy can help. Eventually, he doesn't mind the leash and will even come running when you jangle the harness as he knows he gets a trip to the great outdoors! What a treat! (Wait until he's comfortable with the harness and leash before adding the great outdoors to your forays.)

I do strongly advise to never, ever leave the cat harnessed and leashed or on a lead unsupervised. Never know when a neighbor cat or other animal will check out the phenomenon and cause trouble, or the cat getting tangled.

No luck on the BG. :sad: Will try again in a couple of hours.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Good luck. And good for you for being so persistant :)

I agree with getting 25-26 gauge lancets. Dont have much advice about the ear testing. We only do paw pad testing bc Meow likes to be held like a baby on my daughters lap for testing. Just sits there purring away like he is in a recliner LOL.

Keep us posted.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

ah, i'll bet it's the lack of something hard underneath his ear. i actually just put my finger there - but there's no "give" in between my finger, punkin's ear and the head of the lancet device. otherwise poopy's ear will just move away from the lancet.

truly, you're doing great. some of this isn't in your control and will simply get better as you poke. we get a gusher every time now - except the last couple of days. something's wrong with our lancet device and we're poking multiple times to get a bit of blood. it's not making contact. so these last few days (i think it went out on Christmas) have been frustrating. good reminder to me on how it was for us last spring when we started and what you're going through now.

i'm a weenie about free-handing and still prefer using the device.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

The few times I've tried free hand poking have been horrible...for me as well as Poopy. I much prefer the pen, and do believe having a firm surface under his ear is the way to go. Helps with holding his ear steady, aiming, and firming the flexibility of his ears (moving away from the lance instead of giving him a good poke). Got a good BG reading moments ago (with only two pokes! Woohoo!), making sure the paper towel was firm under his ear. I'll try again in 2 hours for his PMPS, having medicine bottle ready in case I need to try it. :)
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Another tip - sometimes angling the lancet so its not going straight down when you poke makes it hit more capillaries and provide more blood.

I also will gently pull apart and then squeeze together the area poked to help move the blood to the surface.

You are doing great!!!
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Two pokes and enough blood to test! Woohoo! I have to really be watching how I'm holding Poopy's ear and the paper towel to be sure it's a snug fit before I poke. I'm also getting better at where I am aiming, and able to now see his veins without the flashlight. Progress! :-D

Great idea about the angle, too! Will have to try and remember that for the next difficult session (as I know there will be one...or six...or...).
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Three pokes and enough blood to test! Woot! Would have had enough on the first two but the little Houdini Poopy squirmed at the right moment to smear them across his ear. :o
+2 at 207...and the vet wanted me to double his dose. Sheesh.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Teresa & Poopy Boy,

CONGRATS TO YOU!!!! Glad that you put something firm on the other side of that ear poke!!!!! I am sure this time next week, piece of cake - sugar free of course! :shock:

I have been very buzy last couple of days, soooo nice to see your progresss! great going momma & papa beans!

And very good numbers as well, thank gosh for home testing - successfully - and for NOT doubling that dose. ;-)
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Poopy was NOT a happy camper this morning and really fought the pokey poke. Got a drop of blood and thought it was going to be enough so let him go. Wasn't quite enough. Darn it. Oh well....poking again at +2 and go from there. :smile:

And thank you all again for your support. I couldn't be doing this without you. :-D
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

+2 was 264, and Poopy was more resigned to the pokey poke. Hope to get readings at +4, +6 and +8 today. would really like to see the curve for at least one day. :smile:
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

it'll be interesting to see how he's doing, but any tests you get help fill out his story so we can see what he's doing.

have a great day, theresa!
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Grrrrr. Poopy isn't the only one growling in this household. Am getting blood, just not enough for the meter to read.

Do different meters take different amounts of blood?
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Yes they do. What kind do you use? Alot of people on here use the walmart brand relion - it is cheap and it using only a tiny bit of blood

Also which gauge lancet are you using - I can't remember if you mentioned before- could you try a large size (lower number)?
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

I've been using the size 26 lance since I learned about the number differences, and use a Contour meter and strips (given to me by my diabetic brother).
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

+7 at 243. Not that much lower than the +2 at 264. Can't help by wondering if all my poking attempts may be effecting readings????

This time, one poke and enough blood to test. Woot!
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Poking shouldn't impact the numbers, even if he is very stressed. It is hard to make any conclusions as you are missing some of those vital preshot numbers. It looks fairly flat but if the preshot numbers are low or high, that would change the conclusion. I know it would be nice to have an answer now about what to do, but we really need more data.

Keep getting numbers, giving treats and we will be able to help you decide on any dose changes.

They are not bad numbers - anything under 300 is good for a beginning diabetic. Lots of kitties here start in the 400-500 range.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Teresa and Poopy said:
I've been using the size 26 lance since I learned about the number differences, and use a Contour meter and strips (given to me by my diabetic brother).
Click to expand...

Maybe you could start a new thread and ask about meters - I do know from reading that some are better than others but don't know which ones. I went with one that was recommended on here, the walmart brand relion as its cheap and only uses a tiny bit of blood.

Keep at it, you are doing a great job :-D
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

if i were you, before going to the expense of switching meters i'd just stick with it. the blood will come! :-D

i think i probably mentioned earlier that when we started, i hit the vein for preshot #'s because i was so worried about the whole thing. the biggest thing is always to make sure you've applied pressure to staunch the blood flow so you don't create a bruise. it's not ideal, and don't do it every time, but it would give you more information.

re the antibiotic ointment/cream - just be aware that the ointment is greasy and will help the blood to bead up. i found the cream seemed like it made the blood drop disperse and soak into the hair/skin. i bought it first and hated it - but i know some people use it successfully. probably like everything else, it depends on your cat.

are you using a very thin slick of vaseline first thing in the morning? i put the vaseline on (not enough to goo up a strip, just so it's shiny) first thing in the morning and it will last all day. then at night, or sooner if i've had to poke a lot, i put on the neosporin ointment with pain relief. tried it on myself and i'm impressed with how much it really does take out the ouchies. by morning it's rubbed off and gone.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Well, the successes are a bit more frequent. I have a feeling my issues are more operational error rather than equipment malfunction. :oops: I'm beginning to see the difference between my too small of drops and nice healthy, testable drops. A lot of it depends on where I poke and how squirmy Poopy is for how much blood I can get. He's had his fair share of stealing drops, getting them smeared across his ear. Of course, once I release him, he's off and running for the treat bowl (mom's hand isn't always favorable for him after pokey pokes).

What a learning curve! Spent some time this afternoon on the phone with the vet Poopy is supposed to see tomorrow (the new one) and am not convinced he will be home testing supportive either - saying all it does is cause stress for the owner. However, he is willing to order the insulin Poopy is currently on (he normally doesn't carry ProZinc and I forgot to ask since he immediately went into I shouldn't be looking at switching - and I'm not....yet). He did tell me the most important things to watch for are hypo and hyper and weight, saying weight should not continue to drop (which it hasn't...I'm thinking he's gained even more, getting heavier as I type!). Why is it so hard to find a home testing friendly vet or to convert a vet???? *sigh*

At least Poopy is on the road to feeling better! cat_pet_icon

Thanks again, all of you! I'm keeping on keeping on. :-D
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

i'm completely confused - sorry to ask you what you've probably already said. i thought you are using ProZinc. is that right? what are you talking about switching to?

and are you aware of the success rate of using Lantus (glargine) or Levemir (determir) in having newly diagnosed (less than 6 months) cats go off of insulin?

also, i suspect most of us get our insulin from the people pharmacy rather than the vet. you may want to ask about costs and reasoning there.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

We use the Alpha Trak moniter. I tried using the Freedom and Freestlye meter and they came in betweeen 4-9 points different from my Alpha Trak, which is pretty reasonable.

I also use the human Freedom meter test strips but I do perfer the Alpha Trak ones bc they take less blood.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

the alphatrack is considered pretty accurate, but its strips are the most expensive there are. at least using lantus & levemir, the numbers that we use are compared to human calibrated meters.

meters are legally allowed to have a 20% variance rate - so when we see a 70-80-90 that's essentially the same number.

meowsmum - you want to put that you are using an AT in your signature line so that anyone advising you knows that. the difference is about 30 points, so if you see an 80 on an AT meter, that is when you begin to treat for hypoglycemia. they aren't hypo yet, but an 80 on an AT compares to a 50 on a regular meter. very important to know this difference.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

I'm sorry for the confusion. I am not thinking of switching Poopy off ProZinc as long as we are still learning and getting settled into a routine. From everything I've read, switching insulin is like starting all over again and neither Poopy or I are ready for that. LOL I'm just thinking, if the newer vet isn't home test friendly, as is the vet Poopy has seen most of his life, the only difference is the insulin available. As far as cost, the current vet sells me ProZinc at $86 a bottle - much cheaper than I can find online.

I had a PM from someone also using Contour with success so I'm going to stick with what I have. I'm pretty convinced my issues are operational and not equipment (the poor Poop). I am getting a bit more consistent on getting healthy, testable drops of blood so we will just keep plugging along for now, hoping and striving for progress. :smile:

Of course, this doesn't mean I'm not listening and trying suggestions! :smile: I wouldn't be where i am without you!
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Cosmetic pads work so much better than paper towel. Square or round, doesn't matter, but they give great support and are easy to wrap over ear after sticking to apply a little pressure to stop bleeding and minimize bruising.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

What a neat idea! I may have to try that. :smile:

And i adore your avatar, Hope. That's just like my civvie kitty, Mia. She's my sock killer, dragger, drapper (she brings them up from the basement laundry chute pile and drapes them on the couch, bed, chair, wherever). It's hilarious to watch her dragging a "fresh kill" around, as many of the socks are as long or longer than herself!
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

i also use the little cosmetic cotton circles for doing our girls pokes. It is a nice surface to go under the ear when holding it.
Also our girl was squirmy so we burrito-ed her in a blanket for the first two weeks but as it went along she's gotten better and we don't have to anymore. She likes the freeze dried chicken treats so much she puts up with the poke just to get them.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Even though Poopy knows he gets treats or food after pokey pokes, and squirms even worse in the burrito so I'm not using it, he's now avoiding me and raising a ruckus at test time. I will continue to try and test, as I do believe it is important...I just wish he'd get used to it soon...for my sake as well as his. It tears me up, him being angry with me. :sad: And I know he's not happy with me. I skipped the +2 test so hopefully I'll be more successful for the +4 and +6. I hope, I hope, I hope.

I really don't mean to whine. And I appreciate all of you being here. I do believe it will get better...it HAS to! :smile:

WTH??? +4 was 404 Sheesh

Edited to add: While Poopy did share his non-enthusiasm to be tested, and tried to get me to not pick him up, he squirmed much less for the actual poking and I did get the drop I needed for testing.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Now I'm feeling really stupid. Never bothered to check the expiration date on the test strips. Expired in 2009. Sheesh. Off to the store I go.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Well, THAT can make a difference. :mrgreen: We may have a whole different picture when you test next (or not as he IS a cat....)

Teresa, you don't have to test every 2 hours daily. With PZI we are happy with +6 and preshots with a curve thrown in every once in a while or if things change drastically. Give yourself and Poopy a break. Treats all around and no pokes!
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Just poked a bit ago with new strips. +6 at 222 is soooo much better!

I'll give the every two hours poking a rest. I have no doubt the Poopmeister will appreciate that, not to mention me. :-D
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

PMPS test with new strip 301, with old strip 290. Weird.

One way or the other I WILL get an AMPS test.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

I hope this makes you feel better: I have been having trouble with Jose' the last two nights getting blood. She lets me - with some head thrashing- but it has taken several pokes instead of the one. & i always finally hit the gusher & end up with more blood than i need or want. oh well. she is rolling on the floor showing her belly right now quite content. which makes it all worth while. & now she is back in my lap. the first few days of me trying she started hiding in a hidey-hole she has. clearly unhappy. & i was not going in there after her. what a difference a month makes. you and poopy are making wonderful progress. he is lucky you are there to stick by him.
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

AMPS went a lot easier than other mornings. A LOT! First poke went without a hitch but didn't get enough blood, even with massaging. Second poke a success, even with a bit of uncooperativeness from Poopy, with massage. Not enough blood to test with the old strips too (trying to determine how off they really are, when possible - if there's enough blood for two strips). As long as I can get the one reading with the new strips I'm happy. :smile:

AMPS was 358. Not a great number but will see what the +6 shows with the new strips as I did add a bit of insulin to his morning shot and am home to watch Poopy. With the U40 syringe, I used the plunger rubber ring as a guide. I've always given Poopy 1u with the plunger rubber lined up at the bottom of the line. This morning the plunger rubber was clear of the line by one plunger rubber width (less than 1.25u, but darn close to 1.2u as I measure 5 rubber rings before I hit the same spot at the 2u as I do with the 1u). I figure this is safe due to the the PMPS from last night also being in the 300s (and Poopy still always wanting more food even with water consumption down). As always, feedback is welcome. :smile:

I know I've been stressing over all this, and trying to stay calm and focused anyway. You folks have been a godsend. You have freely shared SO much information, encouragement, support, your own trials and tribulations, and tips and tricks. For me, having Poopy diagnosed with diabetes was almost as bad as a death sentence. Especially with the difficulties the vet has with Poopy, having to sedate him, etc. I couldn't settle for death as an option and knew I had to do what I could to help Poopy. This little engine that could thanks each and every one of you for your help, guidance, and support. Without you, I'd still be lost and overwhelmed.

I received a tip about ordering strips off Ebay, (being sure to check the expiration date and that they are unopened) to get some decent prices (half or less than the stores). Checked it out and got a couple of great deals. Great to me anyway. One of the deals I nabbed includes a new meter (who knew meters also have expiration dates?) and 50 test strips for less than $26 (including shipping). At the local Walmart (cheapest place I have found so far) it would have cost me over $70, over $55 for just the strips. Also, when I ran to the store yesterday (and paid $72 for a box of 50 strips at Walgreens - closest place to me), I discovered I could pay for strips and lances with my medical flex card (if I want to pay full price). Not sure if that tidbit will help anyone or not but thought I'd share. :smile:
 
Re: Home Testing Help - A newbie is in the house

Teresa & Pooopster....what good news to be able to go back and read...
Have had company from out of town since Thursday.....and just been wringing my hands to get on here and see how yall were doing!!
Keep up the good work! ;-)
 
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