? No Insulin tonight?

[RebekaShadow]

Hi, Shadow tested 8.5 just now (8pm). So I presume he doesn’t get insulin tonite? I have updated his spreadsheet-can u access that from here?
Thankyou

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Hi Rebeka!

Sorry you didn't get a quick answer here but here's some information for the future. Until you get more data and more understanding on how your insulin works, if you get a PS under 11.1, you should stall, DON'T feed and test again in 20-30 minutes. If the number goes up without food, it's probably a good signal that the last shot is wearing off and it's OK to shoot.

If, after the stall, the number goes up but still not enough to make it comfortable for you to shoot the scheduled dose, you can give a token dose...like .25 or .1

As long as he's over 8.3 and the number is going up, we'll usually recommend you go ahead and shoot as long as you have all the supplies you might need and can test as long as may be necessary.

Don't worry....You'll get it! These first few days (and weeks) on a new insulin have a lot of changes in how you think about shooting when you're used to Caninsulin since Optisulin works in a totally different way.

One way to think about it is this....You're not shooting the number you see now....you're shooting the number he'll be at in 2-3 hours since the insulin usually takes 2-3 hours before it starts to "kick in" and in that time you're also going to be feeding him which will also bring his BG up.

Yes, we can see your spreadsheet fine!

Now that you know how to post, your Signature and spreadsheet are done, I'd like to invite you to move over to the Lantus/Basaglar/Optisulin/Levemir forum. Everybody there using the same type of insulin so you'll get the most experienced eyes there.

We use a certain format when posting there. You start 1 thread per day. If something changes, or you think of a question, you can edit the Subject line of your daily post instead of making a new post.

Daily Threads & Posting Instructions for this forum:

• Please use one thread for all your comments and questions you have that day since this forum is so busy. This will keep all pertaining to your cat together everyday.
• Start your thread with the date, kitty's name, and AMPS
• Your thread will be bumped to the top of the list when you or anyone else posts on your thread. (If your post isn't getting replies, comment on it which will bump it to the top of the forum)
• The 911 prefix in the subject line should only be used for emergencies such as symptomatic hypos, very low numbers (below 30 on a human meter), and/or very sick cats potentially needing ER care. Please remove the 911 as soon as someone has responded and you have received help.
• Making the Most of Your Lantus, Levemir, & Biosimilars ISG Experience

 

[RebekaShadow]

Hi Chris. Thankyou. Had gone to bed. He tested 15 at 8am this morning. I gave him .5U. I will keep testing today.

In your reply you have I’m used to Caninsulin-but have only just started & only ever used Optisulin (I presume it’s a standard reply?)

Where you say you can give a token shot:if I’m giving .5 regularly-what is my token dose?

Also-is it ok if when he tests below 11.1 that I just miss a shot? I can’t stay up late to keep testing & do token shot then keep checking. I struggle with Crohns Disease & Inflammatory Arthritis-the chronic exhaustion is the hardest. I desperately need my sleep when possible.

Xxx

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Where you say you can give a token shot:if I’m giving .5 regularly-what is my token dose?

A token dose is any dose smaller than your usual dose...so 0.25 or 0.1 would be considered a token dose if you're regularly giving 0.5.

In your reply you have I’m used to Caninsulin-but have only just started & only ever used Optisulin (I presume it’s a standard reply?)

No, that was my mistake. When we see a spreadsheet with numbers and then a new insulin is started, we just kind of assume. That was wrong of me. I understand you tried the food change first before starting the Optisulin. Sorry for the confusion!

Also-is it ok if when he tests below 11.1 that I just miss a shot? I can’t stay up late to keep testing & do token shot then keep checking. I struggle with Crohns Disease & Inflammatory Arthritis-the chronic exhaustion is the hardest. I desperately need my sleep when possible.

The problem with skipping the shot when he's at 11.1 is that it greatly reduces the chance that he'll ever go into remission. Usually, once someone is testing, has their spreadsheet started and their signature done (and we invite you to join the insulin support group for your specific type of insulin which I did in my earlier post), we drop that "stall point" to 8.3 but I do understand you're still very new to all this and if you're not ready, that's OK too.

If you give a token dose at 11.1 on the PM cycle, could you get at least 1 test at +2 or +3? A lot of times, that can almost predict how the cycle is going to go later on. With Optisulin, the +2 should be about the same as the PMPS. If it's much lower, that can indicate that Shadow might be going much lower later in the cycle so you might need to set an alarm or abort the cycle by feeding some high carb food and leaving some down for him to eat overnight so you know he'll be safe.

Please just be honest with your limitations with us so we can work with you to not only do the best thing for Shadow but to take care of you too! If you're sick, you can't take care of Shadow so we want to make sure to find something that works for you!

 

[tiffmaxee]

When you post hopefully starting tomorrow on the LLB forum please use the US numbers. See you there.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi and welcome Rebecca and Shadow to the forum.
I live in Sydney and will help any way I can. It’s always a bit overwhelming in the beginning but you will get the hang of it soon. Best way is to keep asking questions and reading, reading all the information we have on the site.

Here are a few links to get you started.
HELP US HELP YOU https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/

AUSSIE CAREGIVERS INFORMATION some of the food information in this link is out of date as Weruva is no longer shipping their food to Australia.

LANTUS DOSING METHODS

Bron

 

[RebekaShadow]

A token dose is any dose smaller than your usual dose...so 0.25 or 0.1 would be considered a token dose if you're regularly giving 0.5.



No, that was my mistake. When we see a spreadsheet with numbers and then a new insulin is started, we just kind of assume. That was wrong of me. I understand you tried the food change first before starting the Optisulin. Sorry for the confusion!



The problem with skipping the shot when he's at 11.1 is that it greatly reduces the chance that he'll ever go into remission. Usually, once someone is testing, has their spreadsheet started and their signature done (and we invite you to join the insulin support group for your specific type of insulin which I did in my earlier post), we drop that "stall point" to 8.3 but I do understand you're still very new to all this and if you're not ready, that's OK too.

If you give a token dose at 11.1 on the PM cycle, could you get at least 1 test at +2 or +3? A lot of times, that can almost predict how the cycle is going to go later on. With Optisulin, the +2 should be about the same as the PMPS. If it's much lower, that can indicate that Shadow might be going much lower later in the cycle so you might need to set an alarm or abort the cycle by feeding some high carb food and leaving some down for him to eat overnight so you know he'll be safe.

Please just be honest with your limitations with us so we can work with you to not only do the best thing for Shadow but to take care of you too! If you're sick, you can't take care of Shadow so we want to make sure to find something that works for you!