? How often to test following Lantus TR

[Meridith and Zeke]

I am trying to not be a testaholic but I want to at least get the minimum tests done also. What is a good range of tests yet keeping it to a minimum. Right now we are doing PS, +2 and +6 each cycle and judge from there on doing more. That is already 6 tests a day and many days it seems we are doing 8 or more. Zeke's poor ears are looking rough around the edges with all this testing, especially when we are getting days that we are testing at least twice every hour for a few hours because of low numbers.

 

[Mandy & Rex (GA)]

I was told both PS and at least 1 test each cycle. I did that at the start when Rex was stuck in reds, but when he started moving, I was doing AMPS, +10, PMPS, +2, and +3 for sure on the days I had to work. When I was home, I tested a lot more.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I am trying to not be a testaholic but I want to at least get the minimum tests done also. What is a good range of tests yet keeping it to a minimum. Right now we are doing PS, +2 and +6 each cycle and judge from there on doing more. That is already 6 tests a day and many days it seems we are doing 8 or more. Zeke's poor ears are looking rough around the edges with all this testing, especially when we are getting days that we are testing at least twice every hour for a few hours because of low numbers.

I don't think there's a good answer other than, it depends. You certainly want a PS both AM and PM and one other test daytime and/or night time as your schedule allows. That's a bare minimum. When his numbers are erratic and/or spiking and diving, you'll test more. When you're steering away from lime green, you'll test more. When you get to a dose where he shows some settling you can reduce the number of tests. People here differ in what level of testing they're comfortable with. Some want a lot of data day to day whereas others (I'm one) try to find some middle ground. Just as ECID, EBID (every bean is different)

 

[Beenie (GA)]

I've become a test-a-holic and Beenie's ears were looking a little "bumpy". What I do now is I don't apply ointment to her ears every time I test. I now use Neosporin every few days and if needed Halo Herbal Healing Salve in between. So I think less is more and I see improvement in her little ears. Was starting to see those little tiny red bumps I think from over use of Neosporin. Now they look great and I'm still testing a lot. My schedule allows for all this testing as I work out of my home 90% of the time. I'm also always chasing those greens so I know how low she is going.
I agree with Kris on the minimum but the rest is what your schedule will allow and of course extra testing when they go too low.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I agree with Kris. Many of us are/were testaholics -- myself included. In part, you need to get enough data initially to sort our when onset and nadir fall and know what kind of duration you're getting. I tested a lot early in the cycle because Gabby was prone to having early, dramatic drops in her numbers. Much of what dictates the frequency of testing is how your cat responds to insulin and how much you like to have data. I'd also look at a lot of other people's spreadsheets especially in the context of when we're telling people to test more. IMHO, testing is the only way to keep your cat safe but that doesn't mean getting a test every hour.

 

[Meridith and Zeke]

I guess I am getting frustrated. I already feel we are testing quite a bit, then I have people start telling me that we also need to be testing at such and such times too. I understand on having to test more on the low numbers too because I have already been doing that. And I know on needing the data, we test every ps +2 and +6. I know that PM cycles tend to be a little lower, but wouldn't the data from the AM cycle be similar enough to the PM cycle for getting most of the data? In our house, the only real active times are 5-10pm during the week. Otherwise it stays very quiet the rest of the time.

We clean his ears and put neosporin on them every other day.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Please don't become frustrated. Everyone finds their own rhythm when it comes to testing. I'm very fond of data and having data allowed me to become comfortable with a cat who seemed like "drama queen" was her middle name. (Although looking at Zeke's AMPS, he may like drama, as well!) And yes, you are testing a good amount. At least recently, it does look like Zeke has an earlier nadir during the PM cycle than the AM cycle although, he can also get very good duration and run you ragged at night. (You are wise to have tested early some evenings due to dropping numbers at PMPS.)

I tend to like getting a +2 or +3 because it may give you a hint as to where numbers are heading. You could try getting a test at +6 or a little later in the AM cycle. While right now, it looks like Zeke wants you to stay up at night and keep company, that can also change. You're doing exactly what you need to do when Zeke's numbers drop. If it helps at all, at one point I happened to mention to another member that, "Sleep was vastly overrated." I didn't sleep all that much at the beginning of Gabby's sugar dance.

 

[Meridith and Zeke]

Thank you.

I didn't sleep all that much at the beginning of Gabby's sugar dance.

My problem is that if I don't take anything, I don't sleep at all and because I am so physically tired, I am like a severely cranky zombie the next day. Not good for anyone. So I have to take something so I can at least be somewhat normal, though still tired.