Linus update/random questions

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Dragonfly229

Dragonfly229

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Linus has seemed to be running very high lately, pre shots back in the 400's. As a result, I've been creeping back up in dosage, and using a little bit of a sliding scale (actually more of a gut feeling scale). The Prozinc has been open for 3 months, so I'll call to see if I can get a new bottle. Any updates on the shortage? Also, I just picked up the new Relion Prime meter and strips. Now, those numbers seem more like where we were, and are very much lower than the old meter. For instance, last night PMPS on old meter 398, +1.5 old 382 new 314, +3 old 343 new 233 :o . This morning AMPS old 379 new 336. And on myself this morning, old 120 new 108. I did do a check on the old meter, it was within normal tolerances, but my solution has been open more than 3 months, so who knows?

So here is your multiple choice question of the day. Am I dealing with:

1. a meter problem, old meter not correct?
2. an insulin problem, need new bottle (looks fine, cloudy, no floaties)?
3. cat randomly decides to become less regulated ?
4. all of the above?
5. something I haven't thought of yet?

I'll update the spreadsheet. Any opinions appreciated.
 
Second link below is new spreadsheet style I'm trying. Because of our weird schedules, I think AM and PMPS times will make a little more sense this way. Tell me what you think, it's a work in progress, and I'm not very good at the spreadsheet thing. Also, if anyone can help rename the SS links in my signature to Linus #1 and Linus #2, that would be great!
 
Hi Sue!

The top link isn't working. If you want to rename them, go back to your signature. Put this in front of each long url: Linus # Do it for both of them and then submit. It should work.

For your questions:

I don't know about the meters. Some people have changed to the Prime but I think I heard questions about its readings. You might ask on Health. You're right; they are all within the tolerances. Just like those lower numbers better.

I see new members coming on with ProZinc on Health so it must be available. You can always try the BCP PZI too - it is the compounded insulin. If you are considering a new bottle, you could look at one of the Ls. Be sure to check out the PZI people who have switched to get a feel for how things are going. Libby seems to be doing okay with Hershey; Snorton is really bouncing around. Poopy was bouncing all over but seems to have settled a bit. On the other side, Jax seems to be headed off the juice (PZI), after months of near regulated numbers but no big improvements. I don't know whether ProZinc just needs a long time to settle - like months and months - or whether some cats just do better on other insulin.

I don't know about the change in numbers. (I sense I am not being much help.... :oops: ) I'm sure you have eliminated all the other possibilities - teeth/infections/change in food.
 
I got a message from the vet, Prozinc still backordered. She said possibly another supplier or another insulin, so I'll see what she says about prescribing Levemir. Maybe I can help broaden her experience so she can see it might be an option for some other cats. In the meantime, I still have almost a half vial of Prozinc left, so time to study and figure out how best to handle the switch.
 
Hi Sue... looks like Linus has found an open IHOP :shock:

1. Maybe it's just a meter issue. Like Sue said, it could just be meter variance. I've not heard anything one way or the other about the new meter. When I was going through my frustration w/ my Relion Ultima, I ended up buying the Accu Chek Aviva, and I have a LOT more confidence in it. But when I got some low numbers :shock: and was low on test strips, I bought some ReliOn test strips, cuz they were MUCH more affordable at Walmart, and I knew my Accu Chek strips would be in the mail the next day (at HALF what WalMart charges). I had NEVER seen double digit numbers on that meter - at least for about 9 months! :mrgreen:

2. Grayson's insulin never lasted that long, so I can't offer much experience... but I expect maybe it's gotten a little weaker, but probably not enough that it would have returned to higher numbers, and all of the sudden.

3. Linus could have decided to throw you a curve. Making up for all the times you've poked him! :lol:

4. All of the above - probably!

5. Carl always says the moon affects some kitties. FWIW, I don't know. I'm sure at a minimum, they sense the way we feel. Like when the fires were burning, I expect he could sense the stress you experienced from work. And the change in the air. Beyond that... my jury is still out.

So that tells you... absolutely nothing! Except that we're thinking about you and hoping Linus gets back into some prettier numbers.

If you decide to switch, I have to say I've been pleased with Grayson's Lev. Until I compared a snapshot of a couple weeks right after SRT, to a couple weeks ago, I didn't see what kind of transition we'd had. I saw HIGH pinks and a few yellows in the early window. The latter window showed lower pinks and more yellows. And a few blues & greens thrown in to keep me on my toes all night! :lol: The part I thought would be hardest was keeping the schedule. But I've actually managed to stay with it without too many problems. If you want to discuss, just let me know.

Lu
 
Maybe that's it, he just had a craving for pancakes. Numbers are still different on both meters, I'm really not sure what to do because I was told that the old meter was lower than the vet's, so I've always thought he might be higher than that one was reading, much less this new one. OTOH, maybe a fructosamine test would tell me where he's been averaging? Or is that not worth the money/time/hassle/stress?
 
IMHO, your numbers are not that far apart, that a fructosamine would tell you much. You'll just get an average over the past few weeks, and if you averaged each of the numbers for each meter, the overall average wouldn't be that far apart?

I think you'll just have to pick a meter and stick with it - maybe the one that is closest to the one your vet uses?
 
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