Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis please?

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TheresaJ860

TheresaJ860

Member
Hello Everyone,
*waves to CarlinSC* I've made it over here Carl.
Christian was dx 8/6/11, he has been on PZI, and I have increased his dosage with advice from the main forum.
He is showing Nueropathy signs, and his numbers are all over the place.
Could I trouble somone to please look at his SS please?

I'll answer any questions, I'm not sure what else to add, other than I am really worried about him.

Thank you very much in advance,
Theresa and Christian
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Welcome, Teresa and Christian, to our little group. It is quiet tonight although Carl is a night owl and said he would check out your spreadsheet.

I am not a night owl so I'll catch you in the am. It's past my bedtime and I don't want to offer advice when tired. Please check back in am for more responses.
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Thank you Sue, sleep well, I'm not a night owl either! I will check back in the AM.
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Hi Theresa!
Very happy to see you made it here! I took a look at Christian's SS, and it is quite interesting! The numbers that I can't figure out are the occasional "greens". The rest of the data looks like he could use a small dose increase...

But, I am not mentally capable tonight of math! Long night last night. I'm usually a night owl, like Sue said, but tonight, not so much.
I will take a closer look in the AM and post again tomorrow. But welcome to PZI land. A truly great, small but growing group of people. You're going to fit right in here.
Sort of got a "crisis" going on in Health right now, so I'll check back in tomorrow....

Carl
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

So nice to hear from you Carl! Please take care of yourself! I'm going to bed as well, and will check back tomorrow, I hope your health crisis isn't to difficult to resolve!

:YMHUG:
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

LOL, it was a crisis in the Health Forum. My health is a-ok! A brand new member, first day on insulin...and kitty decided to go all the way down into the 50's. It appears to be all good.

Will talk to you tomorrow, and I am sure some of the others will drop by in the AM to say Hi! This forum is busiest just before people go to work, and in the evenings, although a couple of us seem to never quite be able to turn off our computers. :smile:

Carl
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Good moring Theresa and Christian,
Welcome to PZI land,
I am usually on here early am to check and make sure no one needs anything..
Glad you made it over here
I took a quick look and like Carl, I am a little baffled at the occasional green
, but otherwise I would also suggest a possible small increase, hold for a few days
and see where he is.
Look forward to talking more and getting more information

Denise and Shakes
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Ok, Theresa, I hope I am in better shape this morning. I agree with Carl and Denise. Puzzling spreadsheet with the few greens. None of the greens are low enough to be scary numbers though, and he is continuing to climb, so I think a .25 increase is a good idea - up to 1.5 I would hold it a few cycles and if nothing changes downward, increase another .25. We need to see some action even if we push a little. Be sure on the days you increase that you will be around to monitor, at least at mid cycle. If you ever get 200 or below at preshot, come on for help before shooting.

The other questions. The EVO at night - dry or wet? Any kind of dry can impact numbers upward, even EVO. If you can get completely rid of dry, it always helps with numbers. (It may be wet EVO. In that case, disregard all I said.....) Are your snacks sure lo carb also? How much are you feeding? Sometimes feeding too much can move the numbers up.

Glad you decided to join us. As Carl said, often people are on am and pm. If you ever need immediate help, post on Health where you will get more eyes.
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Good morning Sue, Denise, and Carl!

Laughing that I didn't realize you were in the Health Forum, silly me, you have spent so much time with me there. Color me I-) blushing and sleepy last night.

Sue, oh yes wet canned only, did away with the dry when I found this board, we had a few set backs, he sought it out, and had quite the temper tantrums. He had always been on wet for meals and dry to graze, so he was going through the crack withdrawal.

I don't know what is up with the greens either, though when it was warmer he would be outside a great deal, he still goes outside, but with his asthma, I only let him out for short periods of time; many times he will turn around and come right back in.

The only treats he gets are pure bites 100% freeze dried chicken treats. The drooler gets the freeze dried liver treats. They have been caught working together to steal treats, (note to self, get that container they can't open.) Chris will go high, knock down one of the bags, then they both step on it until it pops. LOL the treats are now kept behind doors.

What about catnip? Chris is a catnip addict, he doesn't get it freely since dx, but I do give him a small amt once a week.

Another piece of information, my vet refuses to give me a prescription for the u100 syringes, so we are stuck with the u40's. I have measured the .25 mark each time I open a new bag. (Helps to have an engineer DH with the cool tools.)

I know I should know this, so many wonderful people welcomed me and helped with all this at the beginning. He wants to eat the hour after AMpost shot, and then again the next hour. I do give him small, 1/4 can at both times, he then seems to work through that need to eat. Oh I should clarify, 1/4 can of the 3.3oz FF, or two teaspoons of EVO, he just had the EVO.

Thank you all so much!
Theresa and Christian
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

What state are you in, Theresa? In some, you don't need a prescription for syringes. You might look online also to see if you need a prescription. The U100s make the tiny doses so much easier.

I love the picture of your dog and Christian working together to get treats. My daughter had a cat and dog. When she cooked chicken on the stove, the cat would get up there and bat pieces of chicken down to the dog! Wish we had pictures of both for YouTube!

Treats and food all sounds good, so the next thing to tinker with is the insulin. Hopefully we can find a good dose for him.
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Hi Sue,
I'm in Connecticut, prescription required.

Yes, the drooler is a Shihtzu, they are the same size, though Christian lost so much weight, she is heavier now. They get along well, except when it comes to toys, she has a rule, for the entire house. What is mine is mine, what is yours is mine, and what is his is mine! Sometimes she tries to get him to play like a puppy, and he looks at her in such a "you must be crazy girl!" look.

Thanks Sue, have to go, family problem on the phone.
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Hi Carl, Sue, all other readers!
Today he was in the green again, before nadir, he had been outside, (I suspect he chases a squirel or two) for about 45 minutes. I took his BG when he came in, and it was a wonderful green 73. I don't really rely on the 398 nadir, as I had given him more food than I would if I was home, I froze 1/2 can FF classic, and then put 1/2 can non frozen atop that. I was very worried that I would be longer than expected, (went to another state to Dr.) and I was. I figured that it was smarter to have food prepared then allow him to go hypo while I was gone. When I came home, he was gobbling up the last bit. So I do suspect that reading to be high because he had been eating the entire bowl before I returned.

I really worry about him going Hypo, since I am hypoglycemic, and my DH is a diabetic, I know all to well the dangers of going hypo! (I've been in a coma because it wasn't recognized that was what happened, while under visiting nurses care!) I know it was probably over feeding, I expected to be gone 2 to 4 hours, so I played it safe.

With the exception of the extreme highs, do you think I could be over feeding, or is he stressed when he can't go out.

I forgot to mention he is difficult to get ketones on, it has been in the trace area all along. However, he has three litter boxes, which we try to keep extra clean, but he still prefers to go outside!

I'm thinking of getting the new Breeze litter box, if you have any input that would be wonderful.

For those here on PZI that don't know Christian's story, I'll give you a brief overview. My husband and I found him living under a porch when we moved into two seperate apartments in December 05, he would not come near us, and a neighbor told us he had been abondoned a few years earlier by tenant evicted. He literally lived on his own survivial skills! My poor baby! I had a wonderful heroic cat, and he befriended Christian, we would feed him, give him water, still it took him until the winter of 07 to trust us. He was dying, frozen snot covered his nose, and my cat, (Hummer) came to my now DH and I talking in the most excited, urgent manner. We had made a nice sheepskin bed, protected as best we could, and there we found him near death. My DH and I did all we could, warmed him, etc, but found he was bleeding from his ear, pretty badly. The next day we took him to the vets, and spent lots and lots to have surgery for the poor kitty with no name. Upon paying the bill, he was ours, and my dear Hummer and he got along like brothers. (go figure two dominant cats, but Chris knew Hummer was right, "my mommy will save you! Trust her!" Chris has been hospitalized for near death experiences so many times, it is just amazing, obstruction, crystals, obstruction, obstruction, and then last December, (actually a year ago tomorrow) as I was preparing to take my husband for open heart surgery, Chris was nearly killed by a Fisher Cat, he had been mangled to such an extreme extent, I thought he would have to be put down. I rushed him to the Vet, told them I was driving my DH to get Heart surgery, just do what you can. Chris ended up being in the hospital longer than my DH! (We married in 08, bought a house two house away from the apartments)
So, when I noticed his behavioral change in July/August, ravenous appetite, constant water being empty, etc, the diagnosis of FD was not a big surprise, but a huge scare. We have loved him back from death so often, and he is our baby.

I just want others to know, that if he were a new cat, he would never go out, never! He is not allowed out after dusk, well pretty much not after 3 PM, and this is still new to the poor baby, who lived outside, and is used to fending for himself. The stress on him when I keep him in completely, like when he got home from the long vet stay last January, is indeed a stress on him. If you know what I mean.

Anyway, that is his story in a nutshell. I have a meeting tonight, will check back until it is time to go, and when I get home.

I'm not different than any other fur parent on this board, I want him to live a healthy, happy life, and I worry, then when I get done worrying, I worry some more.

FDMB has been a lifesaver, especially you Carl! I can't thank you enough!

Thank you so much,
Theresa and Christian, and the drooler, who worries too, though I think she also takes advantage of his less than normal self!
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

I remember a little of your story from Health, Theresa. It is amazing and I am so glad he found some angels to save him.

That green is fascinating. Did he play outside just before it? I have heard that exercise lowers bg levels. Could that be it? If so, you had better start chasing him around the house all day every day. :mrgreen:

We have had cats whose numbers went down after their beans cut back on food. Somebody will post the formula for how much to feed what size cat. But if it turns out he is eating too much, you might try reducing his food.
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Welcome to PZI Theresa and Christian. Good on ya for saving Christian. What a story!
I’m not too good on dosing advice for others since my kitty Asher hasn’t really gone by the book with all of that. But I am here to offer support on anything else!
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Thank you Sue and Donna,

So glad you remember his story Sue, he is very special, and a riot, if he shuts up! He can go on and on, and on and on, noewww ooouuutttt nooooew, then the pitiful, me me meowwww, I'm starving, starving I tell ya! Feed meeeeeee, foood, more fooood, my husband had to stay home when I seriously hurt my back in November, it was comical listening to DH asking him, "What? What now?"
*giggles* I told him, you think I'm crazy when I tell you between Chris and Libby it's worse than having a twin 3 year olds!

I wasn't buying EVO, he initially only wanted it when the can was open, and it was room temperture. Since it is so expensive, I wasn't willing to deal with the waste. The other night when he shot up to 580 something, I reviewed Binky's list again, and went out to get more EVO. Happily he has been eating it alone, and mixed with the FF. I know he loves Friskies, but I'm not sure it isn't responsible for some of the spikes.

I wonder about the over feeding, because I do give him the chicken treats when he won't shut up!, after 30 minutes, it is exhausting. He won't let me do anything. Sometimes I give him just a little food, with warm water, as that was suggested when we first arrived here to FDMB, it does quiet him down. Maybe if I give him a little EVO on those occassions it will be better?

It isn't easy when he demands to eat, and it isn't "officially time," he gets into all kinds of trouble until he gets his way. Lord, have mercy if he was a kid, he would be running the house! I now totally understand human parents who just give in for some peace!
He will knock over, or get into every garbage/trash can in the house, or jump on tables with precious family heirloom antique lamps, he will try to climb the drapes, he won't stop until he gets his way, period!

Enough of all that, LOL, one question I have, how dangerous is it to be reducing his food with the increase in insulin? I drive my DH crazy falling asleep on the couch with the kitty, afraid he will go hypo and I won't know it. That's a habit I have to stop! I just don't want him to get worse, my DH was laid off today, and we can't afford a DKA trip, so I have been doing everything I can to avoid it. We are still paying off the over 6,000.00 spent on him so far.

If I'm beginning to sound desperate, ummm, errrr, I am! I learned so much so far, I just don't want to do anything that will hurt him!

Thanks for listening, and most importantly for being here!

Meowww, Meowwww, oh it's time to go, 15 minutes to PMPS! (Did I mention he can tell time, and comes to get his BGL every 2 hrs? More like every 1.75 hrs!

Thank you so much,
Theresa and the chatterbox Christian
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

I failed to answer a question, I know he hunts outside, sometimes he runs to his old house, and when I call him, he runs back.
The 73 was immediately after being outside.
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

No, I wouldn't change food amounts until we get the insulin more settled. Just throwing out ideas. (though running around the house is a real possibility) And besides, we don't want your curtains completely ruined. :mrgreen:
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Sue,
I upped his dose from 1.25 to 1.50 yesterday, which could explain why the green 73 today, along with the possible running. I gave him the new dose tonight, 1.50, fed him the mixture of EVO and FF classics. I will add more FF to his frozen night time snack later, as I froze a mixture of mostly EVO with a small amt of FF.

Thanks, I wonder if he would run around the house, or just think I am scaring him and stress him out more. He used to play with great joy and activity before we got the drooler. Now she pushes him out of the way, and gives up, hmmmmm another hurdle to solve. Since she doesn't go out alone, ever!

Thank you!
Theresa and Christian!
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

I should add, he weighed 16 lbs before all this started, now he is lucky to weigh 8.5 lbs. Yet he eats, and drinks, but has not gained more than .5 lbs since August. nailbite_smile
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Well, at 8.5 pounds, I think a diet is unnecessary.

Sorry, didn't realize you had upped the dose.

If no chasing, have you tried a laser pen?
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Oh yes, they both like the laser pen, the problem is, the dog amuses the cat, LOL, he caught on to the little red light before she was rescued, he likes to sit back and laugh at her as she smashes into walls and doors. He will occassionally step in, when the spirit moves him.

That is one of my concerns, he is different now with the diabetes. We had my uncle living with us for 2 years, the cat and dog loved him, but we knew time was not on his side, he was 81 when he arrived after major back surgery, and died in July of 2010. Both pets went through grief, and changed. So upsetting. We just two weeks ago, moved the bed from the dining room to the spare bedroom. I think that affected them both as well. Pets are so astute!

I worry about these changes, so many in his life, we married in 08, my uncle came in 08, he got a new house, so close to his old one, and in 09 he got a sister dog. Then we were taking care of a friends dog so often, who chased him, which I am sure did not help him, and finally, what I think is the last straw, my cousins dog, a puppy, not small dog, had to stay with us for a month, and both dogs chased him, lots! Two months later he was diagnosed with diabetes, and since then, I have tried to keep the house quiet, though obviously that isn't always possible.

I have been impressed that he has come out of hiding when people are here, but it's always a worry.

Not to share to much, but I am disabled, Lupus, and have to have help on occassion, my DH scared both pets with his serious heart problems, and hospitalizations. That too was before the diabetes DX, so many factors, and in my heart I know they all came together to cause his dx. I hope that makes sense.

They both love my DH dearly, but they prefer mommy to care for them, when mommy can't they get a bit freaked. I put my name on the regional list, so if someone needs help in my area needs assistance I will be available. However, there are serious family problems in Florida, and if I need to go there, I worry, because my only recourse is to put Christian in the Animal Hospital, and even then, I don't know if they would give him the same care I do.....

Wow, nothing like spilling you guts! Sorry, guess I needed to share all that.

I really appreciate the support!
Theresa and her beloved pets!
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

This is a good place to share, Theresa. And everyone here understands that Christian and your other animals aren't just pets. They are family.
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Theresa,
I knew that story, and was so hoping you'd share it with the group! It is just so full of miracles.
Don't ever worry about venting, sharing, spilling, whatever. We're a pretty tight knit group in PZI...

Wow, my "Angels" group just keeps growing!
Carl (Bosley)

I guess that means Sev has to be.....Charlie?
 
Re: Introducing Christiam new to PZI board, SS analysis plea

Thank you Sue, and oh Carl, thank you!

I've been in tears since writing that last post. Missing my uncle, that was honesly a chore to care for, but also so rewarding, on so many lelvels. I have to go to court this coming Thursday, on his estate, another big stressor that I feel the pets "feel." I mentioned this Carl as a big stressor back in September, but don't think I mentioned what it was. I have a great family, we are all very close, being a big, and I do mean big irish Catholic Family, there is always some kind of problem going on. My sister in Fla, is fighting for her life, with serious MS, and 2 heart surgeries, she is not doing well, not in the least. My neice just got married, but we couldn't go, because I was afraid to leave Christian! I know people here understand, but that isn't true about family members.

I miss my Hummer, he was such an incredible cat, and he saved my life, literally. Just a few minutes ago Christian stretched out in front of me the same way Hummer would, and I burst into tears. I worry that there was something I could have done to save Hummer, and didn't. Even though he had gotten a clean bill of health from the vet 2 weeks before he died a painful death. The culprit being the anti-flea etc drug from Phizer, begins with an R. (Funny since Phizer is down the street!) The vet said that his death was inevitable, but if I had not agreed to the new treatment, he might very well still be here.

Maybe I'm so emotional because my DH is such an incredible man, and once again has been laid off, because this world is more worried about saving a buck, than rewarding great employees! His heart problems started when he was laid off, and we still have bill colllectors trying to chase down the cost of saving his life.

I have friends that ask why we would put ourselves in debt for pets!!!!!!! I am so grateful for this forum, filled with people that will never ask such a question. When we adopted him, it wasn't until he was inconvient, (sp?) it was for life, his life, and we feel obliged to do all we can to prolong his life!!!!!

I just want Christian to feel better, when the neurophathy became so noticable, I was freaked out! I have peripharnal neurophathy, it isn't fun, and I can't imagine what my beloved cat is feeling! His pads are so cold, and I hurt for him.

Carl, you have been my greatest support, I know you have asked me over and over to come to this board, and I resisted, but I finally had to realize you know more than I do, and you want only for all cats to get better! Thank you so much!

Well, I have a sleeping DH in the recliner, and a satisfied cat on my lap, I should be content, should be..... but I am still worried!
When we started this dance in August, I never expected things to be this scary, I learned to test, changed his food, quieted the house, and established a routine. The recent high, unexplained numbers have scared me big time, and I am worried.

I may not have mentioned this, Carl will know if I have, but before becoming disabled I was a damn good social worker, I've worked with the DOD in the Navy, Prisoners, Courts, etc. It was hard to rattle me, but the fear of Chris getting worse, has me on edge more than anything. Thank God I know that makes sense to the rest of you!

Thanks, I'm in a bad space tonight, as you can tell, and I really appreciate your awesome support!
 
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