Losing my mind and overwhelmed

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phedre

Member Since 2012
There's just so much to absorb. I've been completely sick to my stomach since my cat went to the vet on Tuesday, to the point where I'm not eating. I track my eating carefully because I'm a heavy lifter (I do intensive strength training), and I've barely been cracking 600 calories a day. And there's just so much conflicting information. It's all so intense with the blood testing, the ketone testing (which I haven't managed to catch yet), the injections, the syringe feedings. I'm not sure how much more I can take. I feel like I can't even breathe.

He's a newly diagnosed diabetic, and all of what I've been told up til recently says that his injections will take a while to build up, and that he won't go back into DKA overnight, but now I'm doubting that and it's making me sicker. I don't know what to do anymore.
 
Phedre,
You are right, it is overwhelming and confusing and intense. But, like everyone will tell you here.....breathe. It does get better, it does get easier. You will get lots of support and help from the people here. There is a lot of information, but you can't expect to know it all overnight....you will take it all in as time goes by. You won't be able to help your kitty if you are ill, so job one is to take care of yourself so you can take care of your kitty. Then, learn how to home test so you know how your kitty is doing. Knowledge is power. It might seem overwhelming at first, but I promise, I does get easier. Make it a positive experience for your kitty....lots of love and treats. Before long, kitty will be reminding you it is time to test. Seriously. My cat loves her freeze dried chicken and purrs through her whole test.
There are a whole host of people who will help you, here. You are in the right place and have taken a good first step. You won't be on this journey alone. Breathe......
Hugs to you and your kitter.
 
((((((Hugs)))))) I know there is a lot to absorb and that Salem was diagnosed with DKA just a few days ago. And, now that he's home you are worried sick about him and trying to keep him from backsliding. Do you have any numbers on him from this morning? Your spreadsheet from yesterday looked like his BG numbers went down a little from the day before, and you did note on the spreadsheet that Salem ate unassisted yesterday (at least for a time) so that is a positive! Maybe its the dry food that is keeping his blood glucose (BG) so high. I think you mentioned him eating dry food on the spreadsheet.

I am hoping the more experienced members will be along shortly to give you specific guidance on getting Salem's BG numbers down more quickly (dose adjustments and timing), but I wanted to jump in here to give you some emotional support. I know it seems completely overwhelming, and in these early days it is - but it really DOES get easier with time. Though my cat Ninja did not have DKA, which I know is very serious, I too was a nervous wreck that first week -- waking Ninja at all hours of the day and night to see if she was still breathing. Like you, I was not eating or sleeping either -- and terrified of what I might be doing to her. But within a week, things were better -- and much of that was from the "hand-holding" and advice from the selfless people here. They will help you too! Many of them have been through exactly what you are going through so have first hand experience. You could not be in better hands.

Try to get some rest. :)
 
I posted his morning PS, he's lower than last night. I'm going to test again at noon to see how he's doing.

Honestly the thought of trying to regulate him with short acting insulin terrifies me. Just the thought of trying to dose my cat makes me shake.
 
I completely understand. My hand was shaking so hard when I gave the first dose of insulin, I didn't think I would be able to do it. I was sick to my stomach and thought I was going to faint. And as mentioned above, those first few weeks, I would wake my cat Ninja throughout the night to make sure she was still breathing.

But then my nephew, who lives with me, said, "Aunt Mel, you are doing the best that you can -- now you have to trust in God and let God handle the rest." And that simple statement gave me some peace. I was doing everything I knew how to do to help Ninja, but still the outcome was beyond my control - and I just had to give it up to God.

So learn what you can, do what you can, reach out to this board and to your vet for advice - and then give it to God. I don't know if you are a spiritual or religious person; but if you are, maybe this give you peace as well.

Melanie
 
(((hugs))) hang in there .. I can totally relate .. when mocha was first diagnosed I was the same way .. constantly sick to my stomach .. I'd lay on the floor next to her and bawl, begging for forgiveness ..

I had to come to the realization that the floor or the bathroom weren't going to help me, help her .. I needed to learn .. I couldn't learn it all in one day, no one can .. but I couldn't let days go by without doing anything either ...

I got on here and read .. and read again, and then read some more .. I asked questions .. over and over and over again .. I'm sure everyone following me and mocha thought we were brain dead ..

There is A LOT of information on here .. and you have to face facts that it will take you time to learn it .. I've been here for over two years now, and still ask questions! You can't make yourself sick over this ..

As odd as it sounds, you have to put your faith and trust into the people on this board .. NO ONE here will ever try and hurt your kitty .. we are ALL here to help you guys .. to answer your questions, to point you in the right direction, to give you links, and videos ...

Just hang in there, it DOES get better!!
 
Would you like us to try to find a member who lives near you? There might be someone; it really helps to have someone give you tips on testing and shooting in person. And it is always nice to have someone you can call when it feels like you just can't do it anymore (we have ALL had that feeling, believe me)
 
I'm actually ok with taking the tests and giving the injections, it's the emotional roller coaster that's killing me. When his numbers are high, I cry. When his numbers come down, I cry. It's just wearing on me right now.

Thankfully I have a three day weekend to cope with it. Hopefully he'll be much improved by Tuesday.
 
I have people ridicule me for this advice, but just breathing deeply has helped me through so many tough spots. Breathe. Remind yourself that he didn't become diabetic in a day, and it will take time for him to improve. If you are doing the best you can, and you are, that's all anyone can expect, including your kitty.

Remember, he doesn't know he's sick. He's getting great food,treats, extra loving and care. He's thrilled!
 
Hi again,
I too was feeling what you were feeling.
Instead of not eating, I have the "not sleeping". I wake up constantly ( if I sleep) to make sure my cat is not in a hypo
situation.

I have been reading your postings in TR forum and you ARE getting good advice there. (everyone, she is getting advice
there as well)
They are very experienced with this. They talk people thru it all the time.

Lantus takes many days to build up, it is a "long" acting insulin.
The R insulin that they are telling you to use in addition to the lantus is a short acting insulin. It is in and out of the system
in 4 hrs ( i believe that's what Sienne said)
This is a way to get your bg numbers back down in a safe range and it buys you time while you wait for the Lantus
to build up and have an effect.

They are very concerned about the ketone possibility.
I know you are waiting for the cat to get in the box but if you gave Marge your address in a private message.
She could at least go get the meter on it's way to you.

This is an emotional roller coaster. And you can only take one day at a time, one hour at a time.
I find it helps me to go hold my cat and give thanks for every day, every hour that I have with her. The tears
that you cry are therapeutic. They release hormones that are helpful.
They help you to get where you need to be emotionally to keep going.
It is good for your kitty to get the extra attention too , without being poked.
My cat has been quite aloof with me and I have to go get her and remind her that we have times without testing.

We are here for you. :YMHUG:
You are making progress even though you don't feel like it.
 
You've been given some great advice but you wrote
Honestly the thought of trying to regulate him with short acting insulin terrifies me
Click to expand...
Lantus is not a short acting insulin.

Also, in your profile you stated you feed him right after injecting him. You need to test first, then feed, then inject. If he doesn't eat and you give insulin first, you can't pull that insulin back out. Always feed first before injecting.
 
They are suggesting for her to use R.

It's scary, especially when everything is so new and you feel like you don't know what you are doing.
I try to assure her that they want to make things better.
 
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