If Increased Dose is to Work, When Will We Notice?

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Blamethecats and Hannah

Blamethecats and Hannah

Member Since 2014
As suggested by her vet, Hannah started an increase in her morning insulin dose, today. She now gets 0.8 units in the AM instead of the previous 0.4 units. Her evening dose remains the same, 0.4 units. I was hopeful that we would notice an improvement by this evening's PMPS, but we didn't. She came in at a disappointing and scary 475, only slightly lower than her AMPS number. No progress at all. If this increase in dosing is going to work, how long will it likely take before it kicks in and we notice some improvement? Maybe I am just being too impatient, but we have been at this for 2 months, with no progress at all. I am starting to think there is no hope for getting my sweet baby to heal. :YMSIGH: Also, I am now thinking about ditching the AlphaTrak2 and using my backup Relion glucometer to get her numbers, as they should come in a little lower with that unit and maybe it would help slightly to keep me from being so discouraged. Just a thought, even though I know it's not the answer.
 
I am going through exactly the same thing with my cat and am so glad you asked the question. I hope you get some good information. It sounds like you are getting very frustrated and discouraged, as I am. I just want to offer a word of encouragement and tell you to hang in there. I guess I'm impatient too :? I truly will keep you and Hannah in my thoughts and hope you get encouraging news soon.

Christi
 
I know the numbers seem discouraging, but she did drop over 50% so the insulin is working. If she were mine, I'd give it 3 cycles and increase again - maybe to 1 unit twice daily, if you can monitor. Most cats here start on one unit, so it's a reasonable dose, and now that you can test, you can keep her safe.

Christiana, my advice is for ProZinc insulin. Lantus is different, so be sure to get specific advice for it and your numbers.
 
Oh, Christianna, thank you for replying! Sometimes I feel like Hannie is the only kitty going through this unsuccessful experience. It really gets me down. We try so hard and seem to get nowhere. Some days we handle it better than others. Guess today wasn't one of those days. Noodle is a very lucky cat to have you for his mom. I notice that he also eats FF classics and that he was diagnosed in May of 2014 -- two more things he and Hannah have in common. Thanks for the words of encouragement. May I offer them back to you and Noodle, as well.
 
Sue, I don't understand what "3 cycles" means. Could you please explain. Does it mean 3 days of what we are doing now? Also, when we began the insulin, she was on 1 unit, once daily, and she went hypo, twice. Maybe that had something to do with her being so tiny (a little over 6 pounds since she was diagnosed) and such a picky eater? Anyway, that's when her vet lowered the dose to 0.4 unit, twice daily. That didn't do much for her, thus the increase to 0.8 in the morning and keeping the 0.4 for the evening. Think he's trying to find something that works reasonably well but that won't crash her (SLGS). I am not always around to test, but lately have been making a good effort to be here and do so. Sometimes, it's just not possible, and when I can't be here, I worry about Hannah all the time that I am out. This diabetic kitty thing is quite challenging, to say the least.
 
An insulin cycle is the time between shots, usually a 12 hour period. So holding a dose for 3 cycles is 3 shots worth or 36 hours.
 
3 cycles are 3 (12) hour cycles. So a day, night and another day. She did have the one lower pmps early on, but she has been higher since.

You have to be comfortable with her dosage. If it seems too fast, then leave the dose longer before raising. But, on a day you can monitor, you could increase and see what happens. You don't want her sitting in those higher numbers very long.

Yes, diabetics is challenging and definitely scary at first. The more you learn, the more tests you get in, the more patterns you see on her spreadsheet, the more confident you'll feel about your plan for her.
 
Hi Blamethecats,

My little Saoirse should have been diagnosed in May, but it took a second - very 'assertive' - visit to the vets in June before I got taken seriously about Saoirse's symptoms.

I can understand your impatience: I get like that, too. A lot of the time. I want to make my girl 'all better faster' so badly.

Poor little Hannah has been through so much. I hope you find the right dose for her soon.
 
Christine mentioned Lantus earlier in this thread, thus the following.

Just a note: with Lantus, it can take 5 to 7 full days on the 1st dose and 3 to 5 full days on later doses to be able to evaluate effectiveness when following the Tight Regulation protocol. Using Start Low, Go Slow, you may evaluate at weekly intervals.
 
BJM said:
Just a note: with Lantus, it can take 5 to 7 full days on the 1st dose and 3 to 5 full days on later doses to be able to evaluate effectiveness when following the Tight Regulation protocol. Using Start Low, Go Slow, you may evaluate at weekly intervals.
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Hannah's signature says:
0.8 units ProZinc AM, 0.4 units PM, Terumo u-100 syringe

FOr in insulin like ProZinc, it make take a little time to see full effect of dose change but I would have expected to see some benefit after the first shot
 
Larry,

Christine responded earlier in the thread and she is using Lantus. That is why I noted the info for Lantus.
 
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