Should BG go up at +3?

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RobinCot

RobinCot

Member Since 2013
I wanted to do a curve this weekend but am running low on test strips. Walmart has a shelf for them but it is never stocked so I have to order them off Amazon. What I am trying to do is a +3 and a +6 today. His AMPS was 284 but his +3 is 322. I thought that the number was supposed to go down after his shot. He did not eat any food at least two hours before the +3. Could this be where the 20% off accuracy for the meter comes into play? I am still planning to do the +6 but am wondering if he is on the wrong insulin.
 
It will if he is bouncing. He had a yellow this morning. Maybe he had a blue or green low last night. Its likely looking at these numbers. And if he did go low then his body may overreact in a bounce (definition below). If it is a bounce he could continue the pinks and yellows all day. And that tells us a lot!! ( including the fact you might want to get a night time test to see how low exactly he is going)

I think the insulin is fine. Lets get a +6 and a +9 and a before bed test at say PMPS+3. If its a bounce he will stay high for while then come down. We want to see that trend.. and catch the low.

Thats why we ask for mid cycle tests -because if he is going low, it could be dangerously low.

a bounce:
Bounces - what are they and is my cat doing them?
When a cat is first diagnosed, the blood glucose has probably been high for a while. As the insulin starts to take effect and numbers start to come down, the liver has to learn to adjust to the lower numbers. We call this "liver training school". But before it relearns that low numbers are ok, when the BG drops to a number lower than the liver is accustomed, or if BGs drop low, or if the BG drops suddenly, the liver”panics” and reacts by releasing counterregulatory hormones and glucagon. This drives the BG back up. This is what we call a "bounce". Bounces can take up to 72 hours to clear so we are generally careful about increasing doses during the bounce. Once the bounce clears, then you can see the "real" numbers and determine if the dose needs to go up or down.

Wendy
 
Those numbers are pretty close to each other, so right now the curve would be considered"flat". Let's see what +6 looks like. Every cat reacts differently to insulin in terms of "timing", and one reason for curves and mid-cycle spot checks is to learn how "your cat" responds. And one curve won't give you all the answers, but it will help. All data is helpful.

I think it's too early to determine that the insulin is the wrong one for him.
 
Hi Robin, Maybe you've already done this but i thought i'd throw it out here. Sometimes, when our Walmart doesn't have our strips stocked, or when there's only one or two boxes, i ask at the pharmacy counter. They usually have a bunch back there.
It's nice if we can order them through the shopping links at the the top of the page, but when you need them quickly, you might ask at the pharmacy. Or call the pharmacy before your drive over.
take care - hugs and scritches to you.
mary and ollie
 
Its a good idea to have a reserve of 25-50 strips in case you hit low or hypo numbers and need to monitor.
 
I will go to Walmart and see if they have any behind the counter. Someone else suggested that as well. I noticed though that they didn't even have them available for online pickup at store... I also have a OTU meter with lots of strips so I can use up the ReliOn strips on multiple tests today and switch to the OTU tomorrow on until the new test strips come in. I don't do well with the OTU because of the amount of blood it needs.

Thanks for looking at Snoball's numbers.

I felt is was a good time to do intermittent testing because he has been here for almost two months now and is fully integrated with my civvies; we have figured out a good feeding schedule and routine; and I no longer have any house guests. All is finally calm here. :cool:
 
Great that you have a good back up meter!
Like I said earlier, any data is helpful. As long as you keep getting the numbers, we'll keep taking a look at them ;-)

Happy to hear that Snowball has settled in. :smile: "Calm" is a good thing.
 
I'll echo others too - ask at the pharmacy. 2 of our Walmarts here have places on the shelves but they actually KEEP them behind the counter due to a high level of thefts of them. I even asked one of them why there wasn't a notice to ask the pharmacy - they said Walmart didn't have a sign like that and won't let them put one they make on the shelf. They have them on a lot of the allergy meds, why can't they do these the same way?

I don't know about your kitty but I often have higher numbers at +3....usually because they're bouncing 'cos they KNEW I wanted to curve them... :roll:

BIG HUGS!
 
RobinCot said:
His AMPS was 284 but his +3 is 322. I thought that the number was supposed to go down after his shot. He did not eat any food at least two hours before the +3. Could this be where the 20% off accuracy for the meter comes into play? I am still planning to do the +6 but am wondering if he is on the wrong insulin.
Click to expand...
i agree with carl. right now snoball's numbers look rather flat.

you're doing a great job collecting data today! it's much too soon to draw any conclusions such as wrong insulin or bouncing. after all, there can be any number of reasons why kitty's numbers might be higher mid-cycle. for example, sometimes BG numbers will trend upwards mid-cycle if kitty simply hasn't yet reached a good dose. continue collecting data as you can. getting those mid-cycle spot checks are like pieces to a puzzle. the more pieces you have the clearer the picture becomes. once you have more data we'll be happy to help you figure out what it all means.

have a good day! :mrgreen:
 
363 at +9

Pretty flat. Just wish it was flat in the 200s

I am more worried about finding syringes. I am down to 3 and pharmacies won't give them to me unless they have a record of me buying insulin from them. Oh well... I will have to sterilize and reuse until they arrive from ADW.

Thank you all for your support. He's doing so well, he's gained weight, walking off his hocks, integrated and at home here. I just want to get his numbers down. I know, I know... someone is going to offer me patience pants if I don't calm down. :lol:
 
How about a meditating smiley face instead of patience pants?
 

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according to online sources, you shouldn't need a prescription for insulin syringes in the state of virginia.
here's just one of many prescription lists i found after doing a quick google search: http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_09_700.htm.

if you have a WalMart near you, you can get a box of 100 ReliOn Insulin Syringes: 3/10cc, 31 gauge, 5/16" length (short needle) for around $12 - $13. i paid $12.58 this morning. the number on the box is 81131-0311-78.
 
Walmart does not have the syringes, they are perpetually out of them. I had the ReliOn 30 guage from Walmart - they came with him when he was brought here but I was not able to re-stock from Walmart. Nor do they have testing strips so I will switch to the OTU tomorrow and reuse syringes until the mail order arrives this week. Just gonna have to be that way, I'm afraid.

His PMPS is 299.
 
Just a head's up...
WalMart employees all over the country are known to tell caregivers they don't have the syringes. Part of the confusion appears to stem from the fact the ReliOn Syringe box doesn't say the syringes are marked with half units. When people ask for the syringes with half unit markings the employee says they don't have them. It's really too bad because these pictures will give you an idea of what the needle looks like on a reused syringe. Ouch!

I don't know if this is the case at your WalMart or not, but it might be worth looking into if you can.

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I didn't ask Walmart for any particular syringes - just any syringes and got a negative response. Management at that store is non-responsive as well. I don't like to have to reuse syringes but what is the better of two evils - a used syringe or no injection?

I am out of ReliOn test strips so I am switching back to the OTU meter. These tests will be sporadic based on how much blood I can get.
 
I may take you up on that Larry. I lived in Landmark for 30 years so I know Alexandria pretty well. Let me see where my day is going. This is really a kind offer.
 
Maybe you want to order some online using the links above if your local Walmart sucks?

I am starting to wonder about a dose increase.
 
Wendy - I did order syringes and test strips online last week when I couldn't get them at Walmart but it is a matter of when they will get here. Walmart did not even have them online but ADW had the syringes and Amazon had the test strips. I am hoping that they get here Tuesday or Wednesday. I am headed out to another Walmart to see if I can get syringes. I usually stay away from this second Walmart because there is never any parking, not even for handicapped parking. Ugh... it's worth a try.
 
SUCCESS!!! Went to another Walmart and was able to purchase both syringes and test strips! Phew! That's a relief. Unfortunately this odyssey prevented me from getting any mid term tests - good thing since his ear is looking a little spotty today. Might try to get a +3 after PMPS.
 
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