Lantus questions: Vet appt. to start insulin on 7/22/11

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my Casey bear

Member Since 2011
Hello,

My name is Roberta and my DC is Casey. I am a fairly new member to FDMB and, now that I found a new vet, am about to start my cat on insulin.

Many questions have now entered my headright now....The vet originally was suggesting ProZinc (what she was familiar with), I was requesting Levemir, so the vet wanted to talk with a pet specialist she knew whom had had som experience with Levemir. We had a chemistry panel and thyroid tests done and the vet left me a voice mail this even. Casey's liver, kidneys, and thyroid ar all good. And now, contrary to what the vet and I discussed, the specialist that my vet talked with said to use Lantus so that is now what the vet wants to do. I have done lots of research, reading and discussions on levemir and prozinc...but not as much on lantus since it was not part of the discussion with the vet. Now I am having a "cramming" session, since I am a firm believer in "looking before I leap".

From what I have heard and read, lantus was the insulin which has the most strict 12/12 protocal. How much of a wiggle you would lantus allow me to have? (example: what if I get home late from work, etc.)

I started hometesting soon after joining FDMB. Her hometesting, reminder w/o insulin, was successful for 6 of 7 days and ranged from 219 - 286. The day I did not get a home test reading, the vet had a reading of 415 (vet thought it was that high do to stress leave...it Casey's 2nd trip to the vet in 2 days). :?: So I know in advance, do any of you have an idea what a good starting dose would be? .5u? 1u? Just want to make sure whatever the vet suggests, that it would not be too high.

The another concern is finance. I have been told about being able to get aide, saw and opened links re: financial aide, but I seem to running circles and/or have many hoops to jump through to apply. (I have jumped through some already, yet seem to have gotten nowhere but back to squre 1.) I have a $25 coupon for my first supply of lantus solostar, which will help a little bit, but what about after that? (I am already wondering how I am going to make the payments for the credit card I had to use to get Casey to this point.)

If I go ahead with lantus, is it the "lantus solostar pen" that I should be requesting? Or should I stick with my original thought of requesting levemir pen, dispite the expert opinion.

I have been reading many sites, FDMB posts, and FDMB links...the ones about insulin support was mostly on levemir and then prozinc before tonight... I have been reading so much that I have not been getting much sleep in the past couple weeks, am having trouble what I read about what, and that have of what I read left me scratching my head think "huh??"

I thank you for reading my post, and any advice/help would be greatful.

Roberta
and Casey
 
hello, roberta. welcome to the group!

my Casey bear said:
Many questions have now entered my headright now....The vet originally was suggesting ProZinc (what she was familiar with), I was requesting Levemir, so the vet wanted to talk with a pet specialist she knew whom had had som experience with Levemir. We had a chemistry panel and thyroid tests done and the vet left me a voice mail this even. Casey's liver, kidneys, and thyroid ar all good. And now, contrary to what the vet and I discussed, the specialist that my vet talked with said to use Lantus so that is now what the vet wants to do. I have done lots of research, reading and discussions on levemir and prozinc...but not as much on lantus since it was not part of the discussion with the vet. Now I am having a "cramming" session, since I am a firm believer in "looking before I leap".
you might want to take a look at the "lantus and levemir what's the difference?" link in my signature. i've used both insulins and i really don't have a preference for either one. they're both GREAT insulins to use when treating feline diabetes. contrary to the manufacturer's claims, opened lantus and levemir have been found to last up to six months when kept refrigerated and handled properly. the stickies (starred items) at the top of the forum will offer more information. it's a lot to absorb so you'll probably find yourself referring to them often.

From what I have heard and read, lantus was the insulin which has the most strict 12/12 protocal. How much of a wiggle you would lantus allow me to have? (example: what if I get home late from work, etc.)
in a perfect world, lantus and levemir are best used on a 12/12 schedule. however, life happens. we do the best we can. if you happen to be very late and your schedule is not flexible you have the option to shoot a reduced dose or skip a shot. once you're able to tightly regulate kitty (it takes time) late shots become less of a problem... kitty won't skip a beat.

I started hometesting soon after joining FDMB. Her hometesting, reminder w/o insulin, was successful for 6 of 7 days and ranged from 219 - 286. The day I did not get a home test reading, the vet had a reading of 415 (vet thought it was that high do to stress leave...it Casey's 2nd trip to the vet in 2 days). :?: So I know in advance, do any of you have an idea what a good starting dose would be? .5u? 1u? Just want to make sure whatever the vet suggests, that it would not be too high.
marjorie has already given you the formula for a starting dose on Health. the fdmb recommends a Start Low, Go Slow (SLGS) approach when caregivers first begin. however, here in the lantus support group, most of us are following a tight regulation protocol (see the stickies) which is very different from the SLGS method. if you want to follow the SLGS method, a starting dose of 0.5u is a good place to start. if you'd like to jump into a tight regulation protocol, a starting dose of 1u shot twice a day would be appropriate. again, i urge you to read both protocols to see which fits your needs.

The another concern is finance. I have been told about being able to get aide, saw and opened links re: financial aide, but I seem to running circles and/or have many hoops to jump through to apply. (I have jumped through some already, yet seem to have gotten nowhere but back to squre 1.) I have a $25 coupon for my first supply of lantus solostar, which will help a little bit, but what about after that? (I am already wondering how I am going to make the payments for the credit card I had to use to get Casey to this point.)
to get the biggest bang out of your buck you'll want to go with a box of pens. the initial cost is more upfront, but the pens will reduce your costs on a monthly basis. prices vary from one pharmacy to another so call around for the best price. i recently priced lantus and lev pens here in middle tennessee. lantus was a few dollars less then levemir. the best price i found here for a box of five 3ml lantus SoloStar pens or levemir FlexPens was around $205 at Costco.

If I go ahead with lantus, is it the "lantus solostar pen" that I should be requesting? Or should I stick with my original thought of requesting levemir pen, dispite the expert opinion.
you would request a prescription for "a box of five 3ml Lantus SoloStar Pens" or "a box of five 3ml Levemir FlexPens".
honestly, you can't go wrong with either insulin. if lantus is what you can get without any trouble, i'd get it.

I have been reading many sites, FDMB posts, and FDMB links...the ones about insulin support was mostly on levemir and then prozinc before tonight... I have been reading so much that I have not been getting much sleep in the past couple weeks, am having trouble what I read about what, and that have of what I read left me scratching my head think "huh??"
we've all been where you are tonight. to sum it up in one word, "overwhelmed". don't worry. believe it or not... in a few weeks you'll be answering other's questions. :mrgreen:

ask as many questions as you have. we'll try to help.
hope to see you posting often...
 
Thank you for the info, it is greatly appreciated!

And a special thank you for this lead....

Diabetic Cats in Need (DCIN) said:
Hi Roberta,

Diabetic Cats in Need (DCIN) may be able to help you with the Lantus. Please see this post.

I had found that page at a time I could not reponded, but once time did permit, I could not find it again....I was going stur crazy, frantically searching for it.

Roberta
 
Hi roberta and casey .. glad to see others were here with links and hopefully you and DCIN can hook up so that casey is all set .. just wanted to stop in and say welcome!
 
Hi, Roberta and Casey! :)

You've come to the right place! Everyone on here is extremely wonderful, and helpful.

I first had Blackie on Vetsulin (which was recalled), then ProZinc, and then Lantus. I'm glad that I switched insulins. :) I think you'll be pleased with Lantus's results.

I look forward to reading your updates on Casey, and I wish you much success. These people are here to help you. You'll be in excellent hands. :)
 
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