Lower Test Numbers-how much insulin to give

[nam1026]

Hi. I'm getting some lower numbers this week and not sure how to proceed. The AMPS this am was 57, so I waited an hr and it was 91. I don't want to NOT give a shot cause then it will just be in 300s later so I gave 2 units instead of the normal 3.5. She has had diarrhea for several days and not much of an appetite. She has IBD. So this am I gave her 5 mg pred and will give for a few days til her stool is solid again. But I just want to know if how I proceeded this am was appropriate. Tomorrow I'll have work so I won't have the luxury of waiting an hr so not sure what to do if I have another low number. I'll be in and out today so I'll try and get a curve today.
Thank you!

Another question-I have one more Lantus pen on the $25 coupon left. Is it ok to switch to Levemir so I can take advantage of their coupon? It seems others have done that. My vet didn't know anything about Levemir and even talked to a specialist who said they rarely use it.

 

[MommaOfMuse]

While Lantus and Levemir are both depot insulins they aren't interchangeable as they both work differently. Most of us that have switched from Lantus to Levemir have done so because Lantus wasn't working well for our cats. With the response Suki is getting on Lantus I wouldn't risk your progress by changing insulins.

Mel and The Fur Gang

 

[BJM]

Can you get some more mid-cycle tests any days of the week, or at night? With the added steroid, knowing how low she is going on and off the steroid will help you determine how safe it is to keep the regular dose or adjust.

 

[nam1026]

Not really I work and I'm an active person so I'm not really home during day unless I'm doing chores like today. I have a hard enough time sleeping as it is-I'm not getting up in the middle of the night to take readings. I have to be able to function and stay healthy myself. I do the best I can. When I do curves her mid numbers are always higher than her preshots anyway. She has never really had a +6 or +8 nadir. She has always been quite steady in her curves.

 

[BJM]

What about seeing if you could find a high school or college student interested in veterinary sciences to come over and do some testing? Work experience would help the student get into college program or find a job; you'd get some help. Win-win.