Question about older Lantus

[Michelle & Dusty]

I have a quick question: when Dusty was diagnosed on 12/1, the vet gave me a free vial of unopened Lantus that would expire at the end of that month. So far, the insulin seems to still be effective (Dusty often drops 100 points by her +2 - +3) and there aren't floaties or anything in it. I'm hoping to hold off to the beginning of next month (and the next paycheck), as kitty health issues at the beginning of the month used up all of my discretionary budget. But I'm worried about not having a new vial in case this one suddenly stops being effective.

How quickly does old Lantus go bad? A matter of days? And what do the BG signs look like? Will I stop seeing any drops? Or will the drops just be much shallower and shorter?

Thanks for your wisdom about this!

And I'm sorry to have dropped off the face of the planet once the semester started. I still get on to read condos between classes, but I confess that I've not really been in the mood to keep up with my own condo. Needless to say Dusty has been doing well, though I've had to skip a couple of shots because I'm gone for 10-12 hour shots and/or to keep to my shooting schedule. I also think that I'm going to switch to the relaxed protocol soon, because the days are just going to get longer as the semester progresses and I will have less opportunity to test and will not be able to stay home (or stay up) if she goes too low.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

The Lantus would be good until you see that Dusty's numbers become erratic or you use up what you have.

Were you worried about Dusty dropping too low today so you skipped?

Personally, I think Dusty could use a dose increase. And, you need to be shooting the same amount at AM and PM. You're going to end up with wonky numbers if you dose differently some of the time. It will also make it hard to know if you're getting erratic numbers from different AM/PM dosing or if your insulin is getting toasty.

 

[Michelle & Dusty]

Thanks, Sienne!

This morning, I tested her at 7am (her +12) and she was 125, at 7:30 she was 120, and I didn't want to dose because I wasn't sure whether she was dropping or holding steady but also didn't want to delay longer because I need to dose her at between 6:30 and 7 tomorrow morning. (My nervousness was increased when I got a 'lo' reading at her first 7:30 shot (which, when retested, came back at the 120).)

I realize that I've been moving a bit from 1.25 to 1.5...I dropped it to 1.25 because I was worried about low numbers during days when I'm gone for 10-12 hours. But I changed my mind and went back to 1.5. (There was another 1.25 a couple of days ago because I was getting used to a new needle and pushed it a wee too far. That should be the only time that happens as I've now figured out how to do fine adjustments to the dose with the new needles.) So I definitely recognize that some of the wonkiness could be that inconsistency. I'm planning on keeping her at 1.5 at least until Friday so that I can be home to monitor her numbers if I do increase the dose. Hopefully that will give me some sense of whether she's reacting consistently to the insulin.

Thanks for your insight! I hope you and Gabby are both well!