New to Levimir and considering shooting low in future?

[Robyn and Penny]

Hi, all...My cat Penny was diagnosed September 7, 2013, didn't start insulin regularly til September 13th due to inability to give shots and then a strong reaction to her first shot. She was on Lantus once per day until about 2 1/2 wks ago and we finally went to b.i.d. dosing. I just switched her over to Lev on Saturday b/c of her jumping at shot time and also because I kept hearing that Lev was gentler and possibly more effective. I reduced her dose to .5u b.i.d from her .75u of Lantus b.i.d. upon advice on the FB page and also reading the info on here saying to start her at 70% of her previous dose. She went from being in low 300s/high 200s to high 100s/low200s for the most part so far.

This morning she was at 111 and then 113 AMPS, and we are still so new that I didn't want to shoot, although part of me thought to give her .25u since she eats all day long (4 wet meals and sometimes snacks on Young Again kibble) and knowing she would bounce up, which she did. At 2pm (her shot woulda been 7am) she was at 287.

The question is, what would have been the better course of action? Shoot regular dose and keep feeding her, shoot half dose and keep an eye on her, or do nothing like I did? We are only not even 2 full days on Lev yet so I don't even have a previous pattern to go buy, except for her numbers on Lantus.

I would never shoot under 150 at night, maybe even 200, because she will not eat all night long. She has this quirk that she won't eat unattended, so besides me getting up at 4am to make sure she eats a little as she is at/approaching her insulin peak, she doesn't eat from 10-11pm until 7am the next day at shot time. During the day, when I know she eats all day, and I work from home, I feel like I could have attempted it.

Thanks for your help! We are still new, brand new to Lev, and she's suddenly being difficult about shooting, as well.

 

[BJM]

As a depot insulin, you do want to give the same dose am and pm. If that makes her slightly higher during the day, so be it. Safety first.

What did you think of the ideas I've posted so far on training her to eat independantly? Are you willing to work on it?

 

[Robyn and Penny]

I just didn't know what would happen if I shot her at a 113 this morning. Although she does eat all day, I kept reading newbies shouldn't shoot under 200, although we home test and I'd be okay shooting during the day at 113, knowing Lev has a later nadir than Lantus, as well. But should I have given her a full dose at 113?

I've tried a few things to get her to eat independently, but sound training wouldn't work to get her to eat overnight. I was getting up at 2 or 2:30am and trying to take her for kibble, but she's simply not hungry at that time, so the past couple of days I got up at 4am and since that's closer to what time I used to get up when I drive a school bus, she goes right in to eat at that point. I really don't know what else to try...I take her in, tell her it's okay, she starts eating, I go to leave and she will follow right behind me even if she still has food in her mouth.

Her history was with an animal rescue who used her for a show cat, and she was kept in a "cat house" with like 100 other cats, most of whom shunned her for whatever reason (she is def an alpha cat). The lady who ran the rescue said that when she came in, Penny would go to greet her, and the other cats wouldn't let her get "in" for a pet. So she def has issues. I believe it has something to do with them trying to control her weight while she was in cat shows.

Anyway, I digress...She is giving me a hard time with shots, still, so always worried if I'm gonna get her next shot into her. nailbite_smile

 

[Dale 'n' Chip]

Hi Robyn,

The majority of people here using Levemir basically shoot the full dose on anything over 50. We call it "shoot low to stay low." But you have to work your way down as you become data ready. I started with a do not shoot number of 100, then around 80, and it wasn't too long before I was shooting 50 and over.

As BJM said, Levemir dosing is usually MUCH more stable and easier if you shoot the full dose every 12 hours. You can always post and ask for help the first few times shooting lower. There is usually someone in the Tight Regulation forum at about any hour. That's also where most of the Levemir users are as well.

BTW Chip hates his Levemir shot every bit as much if not more than his prior Lantus shots. I suspect the issue with Lantus stinging is likely more at much higher doses. Chip also gets an occasional bolus of NPH which is a very small dose and he doesn't seem to notice that shot. With the same syringes. So it's likley the Levemir (not the shot itself) which he doesn't like. He definitely didn't like Lantus shots either.

 

[Robyn and Penny]

Ugh...that's one of the reasons I switched. I heard Lev didn't sting like Lantus. She only gets .5u twice per day, and I've been taking care to warm it up a little but she still jumped a little last night. Please tell me it gets easier!

I will go over to Tight Reg forum and take a look.

 

[Dale 'n' Chip]

Oh it gets easier. I promise.

Chip is very good about testing but he hates his Levemir shots. I too have to be careful not do fur shots every time he jumps. I do pretty well, but sometimes I still miss. But that's also why I don't want to skip shots intentionally.

Just give yourself a little time and you'll get it. Keep asking a lot of questions. :thumbup