Starting Lantus tonight and need info

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Lynncat

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I called the vet today and just insisted on a rx for Lantus. I can't take another night waking up every few min to check on her and see her is such distress. I'm afraid along with everything else we will damage her organs.
So, tonight she starts with 1 unit. What do I need to know. I do know it is slow getting into the system, and I've read about the banking. Does that mean she will or won't actually get anything from it tonight? She is on Humulin N right now, and it's rising and crashing in a very short period.
Lynn
 
Lynncat ...Put Help ADVICE or Dose.... in your subject line to get quick attention OK I don`t know a lot but you are doing the right thing Trey is doing awesome he has been o lantus for 6 weeks and he is down to 0.75units I send Prayers and Angels to help you and your baby LOL Kath If there is anyway I can help please just let me know...
 
Thanks Kath, I'm hoping for really good results. I'm just a bit worried about the first day or so. She is going to have a hard first night, she will be waiting for quite a while for it to kick in.
 
You will see results on day 1, however, lantus requires patience - so if the results aren't to your liking, please have patience, it takes a couple cycles for it to kick in fully.

Are you home testing? If so, get in a couple spot checks during the cycle, do you have a spreadsheet? If not, the tech forum has instructions on how to set it up.

Then come over to lantus forum and the folks there will help you out.
 
Lynncat said:
I called the vet today and just insisted on a rx for Lantus. I can't take another night waking up every few min to check on her and see her is such distress. I'm afraid along with everything else we will damage her organs.
So, tonight she starts with 1 unit. What do I need to know. I do know it is slow getting into the system, and I've read about the banking. Does that mean she will or won't actually get anything from it tonight? She is on Humulin N right now, and it's rising and crashing in a very short period.
Lynn
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Hi there
First - sorry for the long post - but I wanted you to get the info all in one.

I see your starting Lantus. I'm linking some good info here for you, cuz you're gonna need it.
I'm not clear thou - if you are home testing, I looked back to your previous threads and only saw you mention that you're not sure about it(I think ??)

So start here.
Home Testing Links


Do you have these printed up? A good idea to have handy, maybe on the kitchen wall or near your desk.
How To Treat Hypo
Jojo's Hypo Tool Kit

This is the protocol the Lantus forum uses. A modified version of the Tilly Protocol. When you are ready, and if you like, the Lantus forum is a very active insulin forum and you'll receive tons of guidance while using Lantus.
Tilly's Protocol: Modified Version

You'll need this. Read it if you haven't seen it yet. Very important to store your insulin properly so it doesn't damage.
Proper Handling & Storage of Lantus/Levemir


Now, if you are home testing regularly, use the chart below, if you like, to follow your kitties cycles.
I will tell you, the Lantus forum is a test-happy :lol: forum. And a lot of the guidance given there is based on your data collection, to which I recommend you set up a spreadsheet at your convenience. Google documents provides this free of charge and it is one of the best and easiest ways to follow your kitties progress on Lantus.
In the meantime, you are more than welcomed to continue posting here in the main Health forum and include your daily spot check BG numbers. We have members all over the board with diabetes experience and quite a few of us on Lantus or have used it, spend some time in the Health forum.

This chart might help you with a curve and spot checks....please read about Onset, Peak, Duration etc...(click on those words in bold blue)
You can find the complete link in the Lantus forum information stickie New To The Group


Learn how YOUR kitty is responding to insulin:
Onset ---> the length of time before insulin reaches the bloodstream & begins lowering blood glucose
Peak/Nadir ---> the lowest point in the cycle
Duration ---> the length of time insulin continues to lower blood glucose

How to do a Curve: you don't have to test every hour. This is just a guideline.
Typically curves are every 2 hours in a 12/12 cycle. Or a mini-curve, about every 3 hours.
Depending on where the numbers are, you may have to re-test frequently and offer food to help steer numbers.

Example of a typical curve:
+0 - PreShot number/ AMPS (a.m pre-shot)
+1 - Usually higher than PreShot number because of the last shot wearing off. May see a food spike in this number.
+2 - Often similar to the PreShot number.
+3 - Lower than the PreShot number, onset has started.
+4 - Lower.
+5 - Lower.
+6 - Nadir/Peak (the lowest number of cycle). please note, nadir can fluctuate. Spotchecks are essential to finding out when you kitty will hit the lowest point in each cycle.

+7 - Surf (hang around the nadir number).
+8 - Slight rise.
+9 - Slight rise.
+10 - Rising.
+11 - Rising (may dip around +10 or +11).
+12 - PreShot number/ PMPS (p.m pre-shot)

Carryover ---> insulin effects lasting past the insulin's official duration
Overlap---> the period of time when the effect of one insulin shot is diminishing & the next insulin shot is taking effect
Insulin Depot ---> (aka "storage shed" in Lantus Land) "spare tank" of insulin, which has yet to be used by the body
More on the Shed (or bank) ---> Lantus & Levemir Insulin Depot AKA Storage Shed

One last thing....as Hillary said, Lantus requires patience. You will like it, but you need your patience cap on.
Also, Lantus dosing is not based on pre-shot numbers., but rather the PEAK (see above) so it is - and I will repeat, very important to get spot checks during a cycle. If you work - that's ok, lots of us do....this is why we have evenings and days off and weekends to collect the data.

Hope this helps. Good luck to you!
 
Its a lot of nfo to take in at first but after awhile it starts sticking with you and you keep saying OH yeah I remember that.....Keep up the good work These people are AWESOME LOL Kath :lol: :mrgreen:
 
I am getting there guys. I would be in a world of hurt without all the info and help in this forum. It enabled me to deal with the vets and get what I needed for my girl.
First, I do have all the stuff for testing. I did give it a try once, failed miserably and am afraid to try again. That said, I become more sure every day that it is something I must try again. She most likely isn't going to stay at the same numbers all the time and I truly want her to be able to get off meds if possible and I can't spend all day every day at the vet.
Nope, I am retired. We live out side of a very small down in AZ, so I don't think the vets soo too many cats with diabites and I'm sure they haven't updated their learning. They have a really busy practice tho. One reason they keep using the same 2 meds is cost. It's not a town where very many have much in the way of money, so they do their best to try and keep costs down.
I watched the video that was posted and it was better then the one I'd seen before on the testing.
Also, I have 5 cats total, 4 who eat together, so it's been expensive just changing the food supply here, they do go through a lot of canned food. I also add in some raw in the mornings.
 
Hi Lynn we can help each other I too am at home not retired yet but off work..As far as the testing goes wrap in a bath towel works best for Trey he is 17 lbs so I just wrap all that love in a big bundle and warm his ear with a sox with rice (12 seconds mircowave) in it. count to 30 poke test done DH does it without the towel Trey is always flicking his ear with him :smile: but not mom LOL Kath ~O) :lol: :mrgreen: We get better all the time..... :razz:
 
start a new post and title it with your city and state and ask anybody nearby - need testing help.

We have members all over the country and world for that matter and there may be someone close by who could give you an in person lesson.

what is the fear that is holding you back?

the fear of hurting the cat? or the actual fear of poking?

If it's fear of hurting the cat - poking doesn't really bother them, some cats don't like the noise of the lancet device clicking, others don't want to be held/confined or have their ear held.

Figure out which it is with you and take a deep breath, be calm and just go for it.

If you put petroleum jelly (vaseline) on the ear first, it will help to bead up the drop, this way if you have to let go of the ear, the blood drop should still be there (as long as she doesn't shake her head).

Also, warm the ear, either using a warming sock or massaging with your hand.

Warming - take a sock (ankle length) - put approx. 1/4 cup of rice, dried beans or oatmeal in sock. Knot top. Place in micro about 20 - 30 seconds, until warm to touch. Hold behind kitty's ear to warm it up and can keep it there as a finger protector, so if you do pierce the ear, you hit the sock and not your finger.

If you are free handing, hold the lancet and poke at an upward 45 degreeish angle - don't try to poke straight in - like a piercing. You may need to do 2 or 3 pokes in the same area to get blood - and that's ok too.

hopefully this will help you.
 
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