Keep at 1/2 dose 1 more day?

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Moosmommy

Moosmommy

Member Since 2012
Hi everyone
Just a follow up on Moo after his scary drop the other day.
He has been doing well... and I gave him 1/2 doses (.5 vs 1.0) yesterday and today.
Should I go one more day at a 1/2 dose?

I have attached my spreadsheet.
Again, I know it is not much, but I am knew to this and it is all I have so far as my vet had told me I didnt need to test before shooting.
Now OBVIOUSLY I know better!

Thanks a lot!
 

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You need a minimum of 3 days, ie 6 doses, at the same amount (when starting out) to determine how the dose is working. After the 6 cycles, get nadir values around +5 to +7 hours after shooting.
Then post in Lantus forum for advice.

And read over the Lantus dosing protocol again and ask questions if it doesn't make sense.

You are starting to see the pre-shot values go up as the depot depletes; it takes 3-7 days for that to level out.

Please try to get some other tests in - like before bed, or if you get up at night - to help you see how the insulin affects him during the cycle. You don't really know how low he is going and that is how the Lantus dose is usually adjusted.
 
Yeah I thought 1 more day was what everyone was saying. So I will continue tomorrow with the .5.
I am also just finding the .5 myself as I have the 1.0 measurements on my syringes.

I am going to do a curve this weekend so hopefully that will help.
I will try and get a +5 to 7 sometime soon. Its hard as I am usually in bed by then and then I am at work the next time, so the easiest time would be the weekend and that of course is when I will do the curve this weekend.

I have been trying to read the Lantus forums too but its all so much information I'm learning slowy as I go

I appreciate everyones help and comments though!!
I hope I am doing everything right for my boy.
 
You survived a night of low glucose levels, a proverbial trial by fire! - you're doing very well.

And even a before bed test is helpful.

Yes, there's a lot of info. Print it out. Read in small chunks. Take notes. Review. And review (repetition helps it sink in). Pretend this is for a class. Try to explain it to other folks - its a great way to learn.
 
I will try and check tonight before I go to sleep.

It's hard though, I know people say don't feel bad or don't worry about pricking his ear... but man he yowls now and he really hates it. And I hate having to do it. I either dont get enough blood or I hit the vein and get WAY to much blood... and his ears look so beat up and battered right now :(
Poor guy.

I even did that trial by fire WHILE I was sick with a stomach bug. That was the hardest part lol
 
Neosporin ointment w/ pain relief applied to the ear a few minutes before testing then wiped off to test helps reduce the annoyance factor.

He may be objecting to the restraint; it helps to give a low carb treat every time you test, successful or not.

And be sure to have some fun contact with him to dissociate you from only touching him to do testing.
 
I was able to get home on my lunch break today and got Moo at +5. He was at 144.
I unfortunately was running super late this morning and wasn't able to get a BS before I shot, but I only shot a .5 vs 1.0

I've attached SS agian.
 

Attachments

Give the full 3 days before making a decision about dose. You must let the dose have a chance to settle!

Tonight or tomorrow's +6ish will determine if you adjust the dose. And if you do decide to increase it, go no higher than 0.75, which you'll need to eyeball as halfway between the lines. And then you must hold it again for a full 3 days.

Er... no pre-shot today? Or just not entered yet? You need that number to be sure it is safe to give the insulin.
 
Forgive me if you've already been over this, but what sized lancets are you using for the ear pokes? You need to start out with 26 or 28 gauge lancets. The smaller ones (30 or 31 gauge) are too fine and will often go right through the ear without giving much blood, if any. Also, make sure the ear is good and warm. In the beginning, I thought I could cheat by just rubbing the ear a little, but I eventually switched to the rice sock as I reallized a really warm ear is much more willing to give it up.

Is there a reason why your spreadsheet isn't part of your signature? Seems to me it would be easier to do that rather than continually attaching it to your posts. Here's the link on how to set it up: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207

You're doing great! There's a TON of stuff to absorb, but you'll get it. Great job on zipping home from work to get that test! I am fortunate enough to do that, too. Keep posting and asking questions!
 
I had tried to attach my SS to my signature but for some reason my google wasnt giving me the options to finish it. I don't know if it is because of my browser and things that are missing on my address bar and such but I could not do it and have not had time yet to spend more time figuring it out.

I am not sure what gauge lancets I am using.

I got a bunch from here on the message board and I have been alternating those and what I think works and doesnt work.
I thought the white and purple ones worked best and a friend of mine with a diabetic child had a ton of boxes of the white ones so she gave me 2 boxes of 100 for free so I have been using them. I am not sure what they are??
 
BTW his +10 tonight was 155 before food.

Feeding now then will test again and shoot at his regular PMPS
 
The spreadsheets we use start with an Excel format, but then you import it (convert the format) into Google Docs/Drive and it is saved in that format. Once that is done, you can login, see & edit from anywhere and if you publish it to the web and so can we.
 
Another question:

Right now I use the 29 x 1/2 gauge 3/10 U-100 syringes
I give one unit as a dose generally but now that I am doing .5 and .75 I am just eyeballing which obviously is hard to do with 1.0 measurements on the syringe

What would be the same type of syringe with the 1/2 unit lines on it that I can find/buy?

Thanks.
 
What does the +6 have to be tomorrow to be able to increase to .75?

What does it mean 'let the dose settle?'
 
Lantus is a depot insulin. It builds up in the system. The build up is called the shed.
There's a little bit left over from each shot. This adds together each cycle.
It takes at least 6 cycles (and sometimes 14) for the insulin coming in to be balanced at a new level by the insulin being used.

Visualize it like this: You are pouring water through a funnel, at first fast enough that it builds up a bit of a pool. Then slowing just enough to keep that pool at a specific level. To increase the pool size, you have to speed up then steady the rate to keep the pool at the new level. To drain the pool, you slow down the pour, then steady it at the new pool size.
 
I think I figured out the signature thingy and got moo's SS on it.

Hopefully it works!

So, just to clarify, tomorrow... (and 3 days total) I should go with a .75?
Based on his numbers in the morning obviously, what number is safe or not safe to shoot the .75 based on the little data I have?

Thanks!
 
1) Test the nadir.

2) Follow the protocol for adjusting the Lantus dose which is posted in the
Lantus forum here - see the section on General Guidelines. If you meet the criteria, you may increase to 0.75. Or you might try a "fat" dose where the plunger is just above the line.
 
BJM I sent you a private message.


Moo's BS tested at only 82 this morning so I did not shoot.

That was the correct decision right?

Thanks!
 
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