? Low, Low sugars
- Thread starter Julia Rae
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Vyktors Mum
Member Since 2011
On the spreadsheet for tonight it would go like this (hopefully I've got all the times spot on adjust if necessary):
I think you did get the 90 at 1 hour past PM shot time so the first cell (+1) is fine.
In the second cell (+2) you would have - 48 @2.5 77 - if you put the spaces where I have them they should end up going down the cell instead of across. If they go down instead of across you don't need to widen the columns and the spreadsheet stays on a one page view. Color that cell the light green to indicate the lowest number in that hour.
In the third cell (+3) you would have - 43 @3.5 184 - again color it in the light green to call attention to the low number
In the +4 cell - 102 @4.5 72 - shaded in the darker green
In the +5 cell - 91 @5.75 84 - because and I think we waited 3/4 of an hour for that one, i.e. .75 of an hour. Shaded the darker green.
I wouldn't worry about it until after you've had a sleep etc. first though
and on that 145 you may collapse into bed and congratulate yourself on being such a great carer (bean) great job tonight.
I think you did get the 90 at 1 hour past PM shot time so the first cell (+1) is fine.
In the second cell (+2) you would have - 48 @2.5 77 - if you put the spaces where I have them they should end up going down the cell instead of across. If they go down instead of across you don't need to widen the columns and the spreadsheet stays on a one page view. Color that cell the light green to indicate the lowest number in that hour.
In the third cell (+3) you would have - 43 @3.5 184 - again color it in the light green to call attention to the low number
In the +4 cell - 102 @4.5 72 - shaded in the darker green
In the +5 cell - 91 @5.75 84 - because and I think we waited 3/4 of an hour for that one, i.e. .75 of an hour. Shaded the darker green.
I wouldn't worry about it until after you've had a sleep etc. first though
and on that 145 you may collapse into bed and congratulate yourself on being such a great carer (bean) great job tonight.
Vyktors Mum
Member Since 2011
The insulin is wearing off that's why he's gone up without food. He may also be headed into a bounce from going lower than he's used to but no matter how high he is in the morning don't shoot without speaking to your vet.
thanks so very much for your help with this and yess it is time to fall on my face going on 19 hrs since i last saw my bed.
Vyktors Mum
Member Since 2011
You're welcome nigh night 
I am so very glad you held off on the Lantus because I was worried the 1u dose might be too much. You all did a great job. I just have a couple comments I'd like to share.
We've actually found that it doesn't take quite as long as we thought for dry to bring up numbers (although it doesn't work quite as fast as HC wet) and it is not a bad option if you don't have HC wet food or syrup. If you read JoJos Hypo Toolkit, she recommends having dry food on hand. It's smart if the kitty has been a dry food addict. The numbers might stay up a little longer but not as long as we used to think. So I probably would have tried dry last night so you could sleep.
Your vet could also check into the VIN (veterinary information network, I believe) and discuss lantus nline with other vets and you could take him the info from the Lantus/Levemir forum.
Lastly...I would be very careful about using oils. All essential oils and some non essential oils can be toxic to cats. They don't have to come in contact with it. They can absorb it through their skins just by even burning candles with essential oils and it can affect their livers. Unless you are able to find a high grade therapeutic oil, I'd avoid them. And for me I don't take any chances...I wouldn't even use the high grade therapeutics.
We've actually found that it doesn't take quite as long as we thought for dry to bring up numbers (although it doesn't work quite as fast as HC wet) and it is not a bad option if you don't have HC wet food or syrup. If you read JoJos Hypo Toolkit, she recommends having dry food on hand. It's smart if the kitty has been a dry food addict. The numbers might stay up a little longer but not as long as we used to think. So I probably would have tried dry last night so you could sleep.
Your vet could also check into the VIN (veterinary information network, I believe) and discuss lantus nline with other vets and you could take him the info from the Lantus/Levemir forum.
Lastly...I would be very careful about using oils. All essential oils and some non essential oils can be toxic to cats. They don't have to come in contact with it. They can absorb it through their skins just by even burning candles with essential oils and it can affect their livers. Unless you are able to find a high grade therapeutic oil, I'd avoid them. And for me I don't take any chances...I wouldn't even use the high grade therapeutics.
manxcat419
Member Since 2015
Awesome job managing those low numbers last night Julia. And many thanks for taking over for me Serryn @Vyktors Mum - I wasn't expecting it to get quite as late before Magellan started coming back up with him dropping low so early in the cycle! I'm so glad he managed to stay above 50 for you after he'd come back up the second time. Julia, you must be exhausted today after the last 2 nights but I agree with Serryn that giving any kind of insulin at this point without speaking to your vet first really wouldn't be a good idea.
Thanks for the information on dry food Marje - extra options are always good to have for these sort of situations. And although I knew that some essential oils aren't good for cats, I didn't know that they can absorb them even from a candle burning - another reminder of just how sensitive our kitties systems really are!
Julia, you must be exhausted today after the last 2 nights but I agree with Serryn that giving any kind of insulin at this point without speaking to your vet first really wouldn't be a good idea.Thanks for the information on dry food Marje - extra options are always good to have for these sort of situations.
And although I knew that some essential oils aren't good for cats, I didn't know that they can absorb them even from a candle burning - another reminder of just how sensitive our kitties systems really are!
Cat Ma
Member Since 2015
How are the #'s today, Julia Rae? You are a real trouper going through your 2nd hypo episode with Novolin. As you can see, it's a tough insulin to deal with. Wonderful that your vet has agreed to Lantus and is willing to learn about it. I wish all vets would do that.
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Cat Ma
Member Since 2015
The oils mentioned were mentioned by another member here to help Julia Rae with her headache during a hypo episode, not for the cat
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billysmom (GA)
Member Since 2015
For headache try putting ice packs on your feet. I saw it mentioned on facebook as a remedy for migraine and darn if it doesn't work (or at least help). I'm not sure if helps with other types of headache but worth a try..
manxcat419
Member Since 2015
I've never heard of that before and I'm definitely going to have to try it. I really try to avoid painkillers for headaches because I have days where I absolutely have to take them for a back problem and I don't like taking them too often (plus I find the more often I take them the less effective they seem to be). So I'm always on the lookout for anything that's easy to do and effective.
billysmom (GA)
Member Since 2015
From what I understand, it redirects blood flow to your lower extremities. It didn't get rid of a bad migraine but has gotten rid of a couple in the early stages. I don't like to take my migraine meds because they tend to whipe me out.
manxcat419
Member Since 2015
It does make sense, and I think it's definitely worth trying. I don't get migraines often, but I do tend to get tension headaches (probably linked to the back problem of course) which, although they don't stop me functioning, can be a real irritation when they last all day. I'll definitely give the ice packs a try and let you know whether or not they help.
Bobbie And Bubba
Member Since 2015
Julia, you poor thing! I just read this whole thread and my heart was pounding!! I am a newbie and trying to absorb all that I can and I just pray to God that I never to through what you did or anyone else whose cat crashes. I am so glad that there was a happy ending for you. It the hypo crash a precursor to OTJ? I know someone else whose cat hypo crash and then went right into remission. Just wondering
Cat Ma
Member Since 2015
No, the hypo crash is not a precursor to OTJ. It did happen in my cat and she's one of the lucky ones still in remission but many cats aren't that fortunate to go OTJ after a hypo episode. A hypo crash isn't the end of the world and there's always members here to guide you if it happens. The glucometer notes on the Home Page is a very useful guide to have handy in a hypo episode. Be sure to have some high carb food (i.e. Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers), honey or karo syrup on hand for a hypo episode. I would have never known my cat was going hypo had I not learned how to home test for BG (blood glucose) levels. She wasn't showing symptoms. Home testing saves lives.
Julia Rae is still trying to get her cat regulated. Hopefully she'll have better success with Lantus. It's more likely so than with Novolin.
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Bobbie And Bubba
Member Since 2015
I understand that. But essential oils diffuse into the air even if you just use them on your temples. And if the cat sleeps with you, the cat inhales it.The oils mentioned were mentioned by another member here to help Julia Rae with her headache during a hypo episode, not for the cat
Cat Ma
Member Since 2015
Bobbie And Bubba, you don't need to convert the ReliOn numbers. I use the same monitor. The values/#'s for the ReliOn numbers are first. Just look at the first numbers (not the ones in parentheses) and that guides you into knowing if the cat is hypo, normal, or too high.
As for crashing, yes, it can happen at any time and with any insulin. My understanding is that cats tend to take a harder hit with Novolin.
As for crashing, yes, it can happen at any time and with any insulin. My understanding is that cats tend to take a harder hit with Novolin.
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Bobbie And Bubba
Member Since 2015
I don't ever see any numbers in parentheses I just tested myself and got a 94mg/dl no number in parentheses. I took the tester with me to the vet's office when they showed me how to test Bubba and we used the same blood sample for their's and mine and told me how to convert it to match thiers. Mine is the RieliOn Micro. Could mine be a newer model than yours?
Cat Ma
Member Since 2015
The numbers in parentheses pertain to the numbers in the glucometer notes in the link below. See the instructions at the top on the guide. It tells you which numbers are for the human meters (our ReliOns), Alph Trak (pet meter) and so forth. No, we have the same exact model. I just bought mine a a month ago. ReliOn Micro hasn't changed.
There is no need to convert numbers. You can show your vet the guide if necessary:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oI_34_EgqeKdpyttFW0oLoG1mbw16IkATAWHhoQD2JU/pub
On the page, it says:
- Human glucometer numbers are given first.
- Numbers in parentheses are for non-US meters.
- Numbers in curly braces are estimates for an AlphaTrak due to the 30% to 40% difference from human glucometers.
You only need to be concerned with the human glucometer numbers that you get on your ReliOn meter.
There is no need to convert numbers. You can show your vet the guide if necessary:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oI_34_EgqeKdpyttFW0oLoG1mbw16IkATAWHhoQD2JU/pub
On the page, it says:
- Human glucometer numbers are given first.
- Numbers in parentheses are for non-US meters.
- Numbers in curly braces are estimates for an AlphaTrak due to the 30% to 40% difference from human glucometers.
You only need to be concerned with the human glucometer numbers that you get on your ReliOn meter.
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Bobbie And Bubba
Member Since 2015
I am really confused because I do not see any numbers in parentheses on the screen, ie tonight's value on the screen was 180 mg/dl and I divided it by .85 to get 211. So if I am not seeing two sets of numbers you are saying that I use the single value on the screen? Oh is this confusing?
Bobbie And Bubba
Member Since 2015
Ohhhh, the parentheses in the glucometer notes???? not my tester screen! Right? I feel so stupid.
Cat Ma
Member Since 2015
No worries! I've been where you were at and I am still learning! I am glad you found the notes!
Bobbie And Bubba
Member Since 2015
Bobbie And Bubba
Member Since 2015
Glad I caught on! So, since I have been converting I will go back and put the values as they show on the screen so everything makes more sense in my timeline. Boy am I glad I read Julia Rae's thread!!! Thanks Cat Ma!
Julia Rae
Member Since 2015
Hello all if challenges make you stronger than I should be able to lift a mac truck today got up to do sugar check and check board and found out mother board has crashed, After many hours and much begging I am now using a friends laptop. Also finally got a hold of the vet late again (growl) and he is also confused about his numbers his advise is to let him ride tonight but keep testing and make sure his numbers dont go above 250 if they do give .25 unit and start lantus in the am as I now have the proper strips and my bf will be here tp help keep an eye on him and spot me.
manxcat419
Member Since 2015
Oh, I was wondering how you were getting on today. It sounds as though you've had a rough day with your computer dying on top of everything else. I'm glad you got hold of your vet and, I agree, starting Lantus tomorrow morning is probably safest as Magellan seems to be very prone to dropping numbers at the moment. Hopefully he won't go too high tonight and you won't have to give him that 0.25U - based on the last couple of days, he really could go anywhere even on that amount though hopefully with a higher starting number he wouldn't drop quite as low as he has been.
manxcat419
Member Since 2015
This is the definition for humans http://www.healthline.com/health/what-brittle-diabetes#Overview1
I'm really not so sure that does apply to Magellan though - I think it's more likely that he's having a strong reaction to a very harsh insulin. I think it will be easier to tell once you get him started on Lantus, but that should help his numbers not to jump around so much.
I'm really not so sure that does apply to Magellan though - I think it's more likely that he's having a strong reaction to a very harsh insulin. I think it will be easier to tell once you get him started on Lantus, but that should help his numbers not to jump around so much.
Magellan isn't a brittle diabetic....he just bounces like every FD cat does. Some cats bounce a long time; some don't. It's the liver's reaction to numbers lower than it recognizes as normal.
I'm glad your vet is on board with you starting Lantus tomorrow.
I'm glad your vet is on board with you starting Lantus tomorrow.
manxcat419
Member Since 2015
When I was in my teens, I had a friend who was a brittle diabetic so I do know how it works for people...and the numbers I've seen from Magellan don't look anything like what I'd expect to see if he was. I agree with Marje - he's dropping low from the insulin and bouncing, which is a different thing entirely - and is actually normal while cats are getting regulated.
I'm glad you told us this. I'll confirm you there
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