? Lantus versus Levemir

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Nicole & Baby

Nicole & Baby

Member Since 2009
Hello, I know this has been discussed before but wanted to post because I am unfamiliar with previous posts. Baby is 15 and has been on Lantus since 2010. She did get OTJ for 8 months, but has been back on the juice since December 17th, 2010. She remains to be a bouncy kitty who dives.

In the past I have considered trying Levemir, any thoughts or experience with both?

Thank you from Baby & I. :bighug:
 
I've read several threads where Levemir provided flatter cycles for previous Lantus users that could not achieve regulation, but the nadir is much later and sometimes that might not be ideal depending on your schedule. I have no experience with Levemir so hopefully someone else will chime in.
 
Thank you @Erica & Carter, I do work full time but am lucky enough to do my own schedule for the most part so I can adjust to Baby's needs. I appreciate your reply & will see others chime in too (hopefully). :D
 
I started my first FD kitty on Lantus and for him anyway it did not give the drops and then nice smooth numbers. Also with Lantus the nadir for him was between +4-+6. With Levemir ( I use it for both FD kitties) I find that it can somtimes give some big drops and other days it has nice smooth numbers. Just depends on the day and kitty. Levemir with my two tends to have a nadir from +7-+9, so later than Lantus. My first FD kitty is a higher dose kitty and seemed to feel more discomfort from the Lantus shots at 3units each shot than with the Levemir..now at 5.50 units per shot.

These are only my own experiences with Lantus and Levemir and as we know ECID ;)
 
Hi Nicole,

I've only used Lantus, but there are several individuals on the Lantus and Levemir board who have switched from Lantus to Lev. (Wendy & Neko and Marje and Gracie are two who immediately come to mind.) You might consider posting your question on the Lantus and Lev board if you still have questions about the differences between Lantus and Lev or need help with the transition. I know there is a "standard" formula to use when switching from Lantus to Lev; the dosages aren't equal. So you can't, say, go from 2 units of Lantus to 2 units of Levemir. I don't know all of the details, but there are several members who should be able to help if/when you decide to make the switch.

Wish I could be of more help!
Shelly

ETA: @Tuxedo Mom See - I knew I was forgetting members who had made the switch.:banghead::)
 
If your cat is bouncy and tends to dive, stay away from Lantus.

I have no idea why everyone, including vets, are for lantus for diabetes where there is a lack of consistency in blood sugar level. A change in Lantus dose takes 5 days to take effect. Really, a dynamic diabetes disease is a good fit for Lantus? You need something that is straight in and out in 12 hours for a cat that has these occasional drops and spikes.

I can tell you this much....most vets only know by the book diabetes which one curve is set for the cats life. They aren't experienced with cats that have a dynamic diabetes. If your cat bombs out, they will be like oh well, he bottomed out....not our fault....lets re-adjust the Lantus and take a curve in 5 days. In the meantime you lose a ton of money and horrible stressed emotions.

It's just really shameful, to be honest, for vets to be like this from a lack of experience from dynamic diabetes. Text books aren't enough. But, they will take your money and act like they know how to handle it.

On a side note, I was able to lesson the wide swings in my cat's sugar levels when I placed him on 100% wet DM canned food. I still get occasional drops, but it is much more easily managed. That means, he recovers more quickly from the dip with Prozinc and wet food. It also means he can get back on his normal dose after about a dose and half period.

I am currently using Prozinc. With the wet food, I get a pretty nice flat-ish curve most of the time.
 
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dman777 said:
If your cat is bouncy and tends to dive, stay away from Lantus.

I have no idea why everyone, including vets, are for lantus for diabetes where there is a lack of consistency in blood sugar level. A change in Lantus dose takes 5 days to take effect. Really, a dynamic diabetes disease is a good fit for Lantus? You need something that is straight in and out in 12 hours for a cat that has these occasional drops and spikes.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry Lantus didn't work for your cat, but happy you found an insulin that's a better fit. For years I've maintained the best insulin is the one that works for YOUR cat... mostly because I do subscribe to the theory that "every cat is different". :)

Your signature says, "I don't keep excel sheets of curves, SO DON'T ASK"... so, I won't. Most of us maintain a Google spreadsheet to record data. Recording data as well as making it available for others to view will:
  • document your experience with your cat, which can help you make decisions
  • may provide the necessary info to others when/if you ask for help
  • may substantiate your claims when posting on the FDMB (a peer reviewed message board)
  • may provide clues as to why Lantus didn't work for your cat when it's worked so well for so many others
  • may provide helpful information for other Prozinc users... info that will illustrate the success you've had with Prozinc
Perhaps something to think about?


You've brought up "dynamic diabetes" before. I'm aware of the term, but have yet to hear it applied to cats (until you started using it). Just to satisfy my own curiosity as well as that of anyone who has asked you prior to this particular thread, what is your definition of "dynamic diabetes"?



 
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