Hi Bufford, and, of course, you too, sweet Whiskers,
Let's deal with twice bad reactions first, okay? Can you tell us what happened with Whiskers during those two bad reactions?
Here's the deal, Bufford. Whiskers will always love you for home testing! That will tell you how to avoid more bad reactions -- and will cost you far less than payments on the Buick. You don't want bad reactions, okay? I'm guessing in Whiskers' case, it was a hypo or possibly two... The 1.8 (30) was a tip... I'm so very glad you backed down to 1.5 units. We're a start low, go slow kind of community...
Whiskers is young, by most standards, here! Giz was diagnosed shortly after her 14th birthday, and we danced for four more years. Although you may not understand it now, there is something magical about dancing with a sugar cat. The gift arrives in a furry package, I don't know morning or evening, when you steel yourself to test PS (pre-shot) once again. And, you sigh... And, then, you just smile one morning or evening when your Whiskers nuzzles you and you remember he's still your cat, he's just extra-sweet is all...
As far as feeding? I was taught by Giz, who ate DM and that was the only cat food she'd actually eat. I fried two George Foreman grills for Giz... Nikki came to grace my heart actually eating cat food. Color me lucky! Okay, she arrived at around (guessing) age 8, with a bag and a half of DM, which I donated to a local feral shelter, because I didn't want to go there again... She's a Fancy Feast girl for three years and change. And, it's always available. Whatever feeding schedule Whiskers is used to eating, my humble suggestion is to continue it. If he's a grazer, let him graze. You can always adjust things later when you, your schedule, and he's a bit more stable... Or not. He might always be a grazer. You never know, it's a dance...
The funny walking might be something called diabetic neuropathy -- which is reversible, despite what your vet said. And, I'm not a vet basher. Is Whiskers walking on his hocks? Think kind of like long ankles on his back legs. Giz did that for a while at the beginning; but, went back on her toes within a month or so of being on insulin. She'd do that sad gait, rest a minute, do it again, rest another minute. Eventually, she'd get to where she was going. She was a very determined cat! I'm telling you this, Bufford, because one day or night, she just suddenly decided to go in a crazy mood around the apartment -- all of it on her toes! And, any sadness I had about her diabetes or second guessing myself about treating her instantly vanished! She was, indeed, still my cat. Look for posts from Karen and Rambo here. Rambo will always be the FDMB's furry poster boy for neuropathy. She has a link under her signature which will show pictures of Rambo before and after going on insulin. I don't have the link, because those pictures are forever embedded in my heart...
Here's a link for Jasper's story:
http://www.laurieulrich.com/jasper/
The funny walking is reversible, Bufford. Trust Rambo. Trust Jasper. Trust Giz.
Do test PS (pre-shot). The order would be test, feed, shoot. It's summer where I am (northern NJ), so I've learned to make sure there will be no hairball surprises before shooting... Think of it as a magical dance, Bufford. You'll learn the steps. Trust me.
Welcome to the place you never wanted to be; but, will be blessed for having found.
Love and encouraging hugs,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever dancing in my heart...
PS: The spread sheet thing would be great. Check out the Tech Forum here to figure it all out. In the meantime, start a log book.
PPS: Where do you live? No specifics are necessary, just a general location. This Board is global. Maybe one of us lives near you and can lend a hand, or paw...