Needing someone to help me with Novilin R first dose?

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Phoebes (GA)

Phoebes (GA)

Member Since 2017
It's in the frig. Got it today in mail. I need someone who can help me hold my hand while first administering it. Thank yiu. We are currently on 20 units. See SS
 
A number of the folks familiar with using Novolin R alongside Lantus may not be available given it's Memorial Day weekend. You may need to wait until the beginning of the week but you could try posting in the Lantus forum as that's where most of the folks who have or are experienced with our big gulpers hang out. :)
 
You have to be very careful with R, I had guidance from @Wendy&Neko , @Sandy and Black Kitty & @julie & punkin (ga). I would wait for them to chime in. Even a very small amount can cause big drops in some kitties, even high-dose ones like ours. I am still new to it, so am hesitant to give any guidance and I am a little on the aggressive side so do not follow how I have administered R! Some active members here using R are @Adrian and Chino and @saltycat. Also, R onsets usually around +2 and nadirs around +4 so you never want the nadirs of R & Lantus /Lev to overlap. Bronx is on Lev which nadirs later in the cycle than Lantus so I started by using R at AMPS, and at a very small dose (0.25u), and monitored very closely.

I have also heard horror stories of some people who got confused with the vials and loaded up a full syringe of R, thinking it was Lantus. Make sure you mark them well!

Also, you can get it at Walmart over-the counter for about $25.
 
Bronx's dad said:
You have to be very careful with R, I had guidance from @Wendy&Neko , @Sandy and Black Kitty & @julie & punkin (ga). I would wait for them to chime in. Even a very small amount can cause big drops in some kitties, even high-dose ones like ours. I am still new to it, so am hesitant to give any guidance and I am a little on the aggressive side so do not follow how I have administered R! Some active members here using R are @Adrian and Chino and @saltycat. Also, R onsets usually around +2 and nadirs around +4 so you never want the nadirs of R & Lantus /Lev to overlap. Bronx is on Lev which nadirs later in the cycle than Lantus so I started by using R at AMPS, and at a very small dose (0.25u), and monitored very closely.

I have also heard horror stories of some people who got confused with the vials and loaded up a full syringe of R, thinking it was Lantus. Make sure you mark them well!

Also, you can get it at Walmart over-the counter for about $25.
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Yes, I so agree with waiting for the pros to help guide you. I had guidance all along the way. @Bronx's dad is so right about a little can cause a big drop and then you have set kitty up for major bouncing. It has to be administered in very slow increments. And you need to be mindful of when both R and Lantus will nadir. So definitely wait for one of the ones tagged as I used it with great results but I am not knowledge enough to help guide you and Phoebe.

I so hope that it helps to break through. :bighug:
 
Bronx's dad said:
I have also heard horror stories of some people who got confused with the vials and loaded up a full syringe of R, thinking it was Lantus. Make sure you mark them well!
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I always kept the R insulin in the door of my refrigerator in it's little box with the big R on the top, and my Levermir was kept on the shelf of the refrigerator. If I was giving both insulins at PS time, I would bring one insulin out and measure that dose and then put that insulin away, and then bring out the other insulin and measure that dose and then put that insulin away. You never want to confuse the two.
 
Dyana said:
I always kept the R insulin in the door of my refrigerator in it's little box with the big R on the top, and my Levermir was kept on the shelf of the refrigerator. If I was giving both insulins at PS time, I would bring one insulin out and measure that dose and then put that insulin away, and then bring out the other insulin and measure that dose and then put that insulin away. You never want to confuse the two.
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I did the same with putting one back in the refrigerator before getting the other one out. Also, I had a piece of paper that had a L on it for Lantus and an R on it for Novolin "R" . After I drew up the Lantus, I put that syringe on the L paper and the same for after I drew up the R. It helped me to keep the two straight.
 
Great ideas on keeping them straight. I have NO ideas of treating her without help, that's why I asked. I understand it's sensitive and powerful. Just excited to get her in better numbers as you all know how flat she can be.
I will wait until the pros come back on. Was just hoping one was around that would help sooner than later.
 
What time zone are you in and what is your preshot time? We usually have someone on line with you the first couple of times.

In the mean time, you might want to practise drawing up 0.25 units consistently using a used syringe and some coloured liquid.

To add to what has been said so far, you want the R action to lower the numbers by no more than 100 points in a cycle. Knowing your Lantus onset, nadir and duration are important when you lay the R action on top.
 
Sandy and Black Kitty said:
Hi Angela,

Has Phoebes been tested for Acro and IAA?
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No Sandy we could not afford it with everything else we have. The vet pretty much has said that is probably what she has. That or lymphoma. We can't afford the testing, and if it was positive we would be carrying on with the same treatment as now with the increased dosing. Correct?
 
Phoebes said:
We can't afford the testing, and if it was positive we would be carrying on with the same treatment as now with the increased dosing. Correct?
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While it's true that a kitty needs as much insulin as a kitty needs, regardless of the condition, each high dose condition has a different reason for why insulin needs are high.

For example with IAA, which is what my Black Kitty had, a cats body starts creating antibodies against insulin.
With Acro a tumor is responsible. With IAA some of the pancreas beta cells have been burned out and can't produce insulin. With Acro the pancreas could be producing insulin just fine - or not. IAA is self limiting and generally resolves in about a year, which sounds good, however it can stop on a dime, leaving you faced with a depot the size of Lake Michigan.

So you will have to proceed with a great deal of caution. Learn about and consider both conditions when making dosing decisions. Many times you will be making 'shot by shot ' decisions as both conditions have variables that require you 'go with the flow'.

I'll be glad to help learn about safe use of R. It is a valuable tool to have handy for a high dose kitty.
 
Sandy and Black Kitty said:
I'll be glad to help learn about safe use of R. It is a valuable tool to have handy for a high dose kitty.
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I will read study whatever you want me too. I appreciate the help with getting my kitty in a better place. The vet says probably acro because of the eyesight, behaviors, the turning in circles, confusion and she does have big feet. I have noticed her bottom jaw jutting out but not sure it's not just in my head. The other symptoms are not.
"Have you noticed changes in the way your cat breathes? Any changes in their eye sight?
8) Have you noticed any behavioral changes in your cat? For example, appearing to be in pain, avoiding bright light.
9) Have you noticed any physical changes in your cat's appearance?" All checks.
She could possibly be IAA, not sure of the odds but her not getting enough insulin, could it not be from the bad pancreas from pancreatitis working against her?
 
I started with 0.25u at AMPS time on a day I could closely monitor. Increased by .25u every morn until I saw some movement. Some have started with a dose as little at .1u to be safe. Bronx is on Levemir so the nadir is later in the cycle than Lantus, not sure what would be the best time to shoot R on Lantus. Did not use R in the evening cycles at first since most cats drop lower at night and I wasn't up to monitor every hour or so. I have heard R can also affect the 2nd cycle.
 
Thank you @Bronx's dad. So give lantus first or R ? Does it matter? Same area? Does it work really fast? Is there not something I can read to answer all my questions like a q and a? I'm scared to do this on my own. But want to get started. Jump in both feet?
 
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