So a couple of observations.
1) The insulin seems to last a little longer during the day compared to the night cycle i.e. he has a little higher numbers in AM than at night.
2) He seems to bounce more at night when he goes low from his PMPS dose hence a higher number at AM than AM to PM.
3) Seven AM numbers that were in the 400's, you dosed 2.0 units and all seven got you a blue PMPS number (that's a good thing).
4) The majority of doses that you have administered is between 1.8u and 2.2u.
Your current sliding scale: 125-200=2U; 200-300=2.2U; 300-400=2.4U; 400+=2.6U
Your previous sliding scale: 150-250~1.8U; 250-350~2U; 350+~2.2U
How do I come up with a sliding scale? So, what I do is write down the numbers and dose that have gotten you to an acceptable nadir (or close to it) while also, writing down those that didn't but wrote down the dose that I thought that may have gotten to your safe, green nadir. This is what I collected.
2.2u - 457, 355, 432, 311, 335
2.0u - 432, 402, 281, 342, 392, 340, 262, 385, 334, 493
1.8u - 394, 336, 233, 230, 320, 290
1.6u - 323, 341, 232, 190
1.4u - 286, 227, 195, 280
1.2u - 181
1.0u - 143, 274
Then, I eliminate the super high and super low number within each dose and then try to fit the majority of the remaining numbers within a dose. This suggested sliding scale is a little lower than yours but I usually start off pretty conservative. Also, since you typically shoot between 1.8u and 2.2u, this new sliding scale has that covered. So here is what I have come up with.
2.2u - 433 - 457
2.0u - 395 - 432
1.8u - 342 - 394
1.6u - 281 - 341
1.4u - 227-280
1.2u - 181-226
So, how do you adjust or maintain a sliding scale? This is what I do however I am sure there are other ways to do this. With each number, I dose according to my sliding scale while also reviewing my spreadsheet for a previous, same number. Then I try to catch a nadir or at least a +4. If the dose gives me a safe green or even low blue number, I do not change anything. If the number is too high, I may adjust my sliding scale or may even wait to get a similar number one more time. If I get the same results, two times (this is why I look at previous numbers and doses), then I change my sliding scale. I also may put something in my comment section indicating that I have a "pending" change as a reminder to change next time (just like you did on 10/12). If I get a low, an unsafe number, I may change my sliding scale immediately or wait till I get another low number twice. It all just depends on whether I change the sliding scale the first time or the second time that I get the same result. Regardless, I am always, comparing my doses with previous numbers and my sliding scale and tweaking it constantly. Did I explain that correctly?
So back to my observations. One of them is pretty obvious that Ben goes higher in the AM and throws you lower numbers at night. I am assuming that you are shooting every 12 hours. I would like to see your AMPS numbers lower, so I am suggesting that you shoot 12.5 hours during the day and 11.5 hours at night. So if you are shooting at 6am and 6pm, then you would shoot at 6am and 6:30pm instead. That way, hopefully, we can get to the AM number before it gets to the 400's. Your evening shots will be a little higher but it shouldn't be too bad. This may also minimize any bouncing from lower numbers or not enough insulin throughout the night. If your AM number continues to be high and PM numbers lower, then I would change to a 13/11 schedule or 6am/7pm shot times.
One more note I thought I might add. Occasionally, you might see us shooting a "fat" dose or "skinny" dose. I typically only shoot "fat" doses just because it is easier to see on the U100 syringes. I may do this when I am at the top of my sliding scale and I want to add just a drop or two more but not quite a full 0.2u increase (Merlin is really sensitive). So say, I get a 340 and my sliding scale is telling me to shoot a 1.6u but since it is at the top of the sliding scale, I might go fat 1.6u (but not quite a 1.8u) just to drop me an extra 10-20 points. So that may be a consideration down the road.
Well these are just suggestions. No problem if you want to try something else or continue with the consistent doses. Sometimes consist dosing really helps the kitty to get used to the insulin and hopefully minimize bouncing. Also no problem if you want to tweak the sliding scale numbers as I said, I am a little more conservative.
I'm excited to see what sort of numbers this gets you!