Newbie, Lug

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Lug

Lug

Member Since 2011
Hello and Thanks to everyone!

Lug is recently diagnosed and is currenly receiving Humulin (argh), you can see our post in the VETSULIN / CANINSULIN/ HUMULIN N section:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=50209

Lug's numbers have dropped and greatly improved, we're almost thinking we can get him into remission!!
We have a question, will the more gentle nature of Lantus increase the odds of remission, as compared to the abrupt behavior of Humulin??

Is there a way to get individual cartridges, rather than purchasing all 5 at one time? PM me if you would like.


THANKS AGAIN,
Sharron and JAck
 
Welcome to Lantus!!

Gabby was initially given Humulin N when she was on the ICU. After about a month, her fructosamine was not great. By then, I was doing research and my usual vet (not the ICU vet) and I agreed that Lantus would be a better choice. My vet's comment about N was, "It's a great insulin for dogs. It's not good for cats." We haven't looked back.

It can be a bit of legwork to find individual pens. (The cartridges have been discontinued but the Solostar pens are pretty much the same thing -- it's a cartridge in a plastic case.) In some locales, Costco or Sam's Club may sell an individual pen. Where I've seen the greatest success in finding a single pen is at an outpatient hospital pharmacy. The pharmacy is always breaking apart the boxes to send insulin to the inpatient hospital floors. I'd suggest calling around and if you find a place that will sell you one, get the name of the person you spoke to so if there's any confusion when you arrive, you have a name! The other alternative is to post here, Health, and the Lev forums and ask if someone wants to split a box. Sometimes, people will advertise on Craig's List, too.

The other resource for a single pen may be Diabetic Cats in Need or the Lantus Land Emergency Fund. I don't know if you can buy supplies from them -- what they have are donations. Sometimes, people will also post on the Supply Closet forum here if they have extra Lantus.
 
Moonie was also on Humilin N--She was sicker than ever when I left my usual vet & went to the ER-
That Vet there saved her life by putting her on lantus--I think it could be a good move for your kitty.
 
was it you i thought i saw your location as being Cincinnati? as in Cincinnati, Ohio or get this, Cincinnati, Iowa? yes there is a Cincinnati in Iowa. i think there is only about 400 people or so though :-)

i only ask because I thought I saw somewhere that you mentioned Cincinnati and wanted to mention that there are others in your neck of the woods and maybe you guys can pool together to buy the lantus? or maybe one of the other gals has an individual pen to spare?

You could edit your subject line to include your city perhaps. I want to say BJM or Blue or someone who's user id starts with a B are in Cincinnati Ohio but having a senior moment here
 
drats! getting my c's and b's mixed up i suppose. see....senior moment :-)

i did do a quick search and see that Jenny and Sue are in Cincinnati, Ohio and using lantus although i think Sue is in remission so pretty sure Jenny wouldn't be buying any lantus anytime soon, helen & snickers is east of Cincinnati i see in an old post
 
Hi Sharron-

Welcome to Lantus Land! My local Target pharmacy sells me pens individually for $43 each. From my understanding, though, not all Targets will do this - but it 's worth checking yours to see if they will.

Amy
 
Welcome, you have found the best people to help you here. It has been a blessing for me and Zener when I found this place.

My cat Zener was on Humulin N for two months. My vet was not very knowledgeable about FD, though dedicated to giving Zener the best care she could. He did not do well on the Humulin N and continued to have symptoms and very poorly regulated BG. After two months, I had done some research and found this site and requested we try Lantus. My vet was fine with that, though acknowledged she didn't have much experience with Lantus. I've shared the protocol and spreadsheets with her, and she is totally on board. After only a few days on Lantus, Zener's excessive drinking and urination improved. We are still struggling with regulation, but he is feeling so much better on Lantus.

You have found a special place full of knowledgeable, helpful and generous people with tons of experience!
 
Great help everyone! I called everywhere and finally found Target (thanks Trixie!) to sell an idividual pen cartridge! :-D

With lantus being much longer lasting than many others why is a strict 12/12 schedule so important? I know(!) that Humulin is so short lasting that you have a large margin in the schedule. ProZinc is a little longer lasting so "if" it lasted 12 hours I would think a strict 12/12 would be extremely important to avoid a dangerous overlap, though I don't see the 12/12 being mentioned as critical with ProZinc. At the other end of the duration spectrum is Lantus, why is a strict 12/12 so important since an overlap is already built into the protocol? My initial guess would be that it should be pretty forgiving.
??

Thanks!
 
hi sharron! and welcome to you and Lug!

cats have a very fast metabolism so although lantus is a longer acting insulin, and is recommended once a day in humans, cats need it every 12 hours. there is an approximate 12 hour cycle that it goes through, and it simply works best by following that. otherwise your cat gets zigzag numbers - too many highs and lows - and won't feel as well.

Great information on Lantus and how it all works in the starred posts at the top of the Lantus forum. This is a good one to start on and it gives you the 12 hour cycle of lantus: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18139

also, here's one i like that's about how lantus itself works: http://www.diabetesclinic.ca/en/diab/2treat/lantus_vs_levemir.htm

i don't have any experience with humulin, but am happy with the lantus.
 
Sharron and I have been in contact and I was sorry I didn't have any Lantus, but glad to hear that she found it at Target individually! I've offered any help in any way and I hope Lug responds to Lantus well!

Jenny & Sue
 
Welcome to the group, and good luck with Lantus! We've never tried the Humulin N or R, but did switch from ProZinc to Lantus a year ago, and I'm glad that we did.

Again, welcome! :)
 
Lug's bean said:
With lantus being much longer lasting than many others why is a strict 12/12 schedule so important? I know(!) that Humulin is so short lasting that you have a large margin in the schedule. ProZinc is a little longer lasting so "if" it lasted 12 hours I would think a strict 12/12 would be extremely important to avoid a dangerous overlap, though I don't see the 12/12 being mentioned as critical with ProZinc. At the other end of the duration spectrum is Lantus, why is a strict 12/12 so important since an overlap is already built into the protocol? My initial guess would be that it should be pretty forgiving.
??
Click to expand...

Actually, it's just the opposite. Lantus isn't very forgiving. Early shots act like a dose increase and late shots act like a dose reduction. This is because we utilize the overlap AND because this is a depot-type of drug. (We refer to the insulin depot as a "shed.") The more you are off schedule, the more is effects the shed and the result is wonky numbers. Lantus really likes consistency. The closer you are to shooting at a consistent time, the more you keep the insulin level in the shed at an even level. The shed is neither overfilled or pulling new insulin to fill up a deficit.
 
Sharron emailed me this morning and said that within one day of being on Lantus, Lug did not go over 180! She said he was hanging in the 300-400s before. I hope Lantus helps Lug!!!

Jenny & Sue
 
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