Stress v non-stressed

[MMM]

I've been giving this idea of stress v non-stressed a lot of thought lately. and Bailey's first blood sample was taken at the clinic. She was stressed, but not greatly so, as she hadn't been there for awhile and so the situation didn't cause her huge alarm. Her BG was 22.4. After changing her diet, she had another set of tests. That was done on the same day and at the same place, namely, the hospital, where she got her ultrasound. Her BG that time was 15.6 and I imagine that was still higher than it would normally be since she was stressed (more so than at the clinic). So the next test was done during her day at the hospital for her curve. She started at 21.3 (which is nearly as high as without the diet, but she was under a lot more stress than her first test) then 9.3, 15.3 and 22.3 (again, nearly where she was before the food). My vet has arranged for me to be shown how to do the home monitoring when I am up at the hospital for the visit with the specialist (to save travel expense and the stress of travel back and forth on Bailey) so I guess I won't know for sure for a little bit yet, but maybe in "real life" (i.e. at home) her numbers aren't so very bad. Or am I just in wishful thinking land?

 

[BJM]

Vet stress may raise the glucose from 100-180 mg/dL (5.6-10 mmol/L).

 

[MMM]

Well, I guess I am just hoping that in a non-stress environment, she has a decent BG - but if the swing is only about 5 points (in mmol/L) then perhaps not. Sigh.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Actually, depending on what her non-stressed numbers really are, that can be quite a bit of difference...If she's at 15 (270) and you can get a drop of 5-10 that brings her down to 5-10 (90-180) and under about 230 is under renal threshold

 

[MMM]

I guess part of me is wondering if it would have been okay to wait to start the insulin until we go to the specialist (appointment set for June 11) instead of putting her (and me) through all of this. After all, what the specialist tells me is going to go a long way towards making up my mind if I continue this path much further. Since her under stress number at the time of the ultrasound was 15.6, maybe at home it was low enough to have held off on all this. But she seems to be losing ground, so I did what I thought was right. Second guessing myself is not my usual way of operating, nor is being an emotional wreck. It is just so hard to see my once playful, contented girl this way. I miss her "oh good you're home, sit down so I can jump in your lap for some snuggles" meow when I come home, which has been replaced by a "I'm so hungry" (because she has let the food I've left her dry up) meow instead. This has been one of the hardest (and most exhausting) things I've ever gone through. I guess there is no point in thinking "maybe I should have done this" or "maybe I shouldn't have done that". But it is hard to turn those thoughts off.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

We all understand how overwhelming this is! We've all been there and questioned whether we could really do it...were we just prolonging their suffering?

What I can tell you is that if Bailey were mine, I'd get her on insulin and the sooner, the better. You'll know in a few weeks time if it's helping her feel better and adding to her quality of life. No, you won't get her regulated in that time, but you should start to see signs that she's feeling better....things like grooming again, more active and returning to playing games she's always played, less pee in the litter box and less water drinking....all these things can start happening fairly quickly after starting treatment.

I think the big question is one you're going to have to ask yourself....If you don't do it, are you going to be able to live with yourself? For most of us here, I think we want to try just about anything (at least for a short time) to see if it improves our kitty's quality of life, but it IS a commitment that's not always going to be easy, and it can be very frustrating too.

Not sure if you've seen these or not, but I think these pictures are worth 1000 words.

China at diagnoses....less than 8lbs

China 3-4 months after insulin...13+lbs

If you click on the pictures, they'll expand so you can really see the difference

 

[MMM]

Thanks for that. I appreciate and understand what you are saying. If it was "just" diabetes I would tough it out and that would be that (and I'm not saying I won't). Diabetes and pancreatitis. Well, okay, that's always been a possibility ever since she was diagnosed with pancreatitis. It has been in the back of my mind, so I was kind of prepared for it (heavy emphasis on the words "kind of"). It's the gall stones and possible issue with her liver that have thrown me for a loop. I am very concerned that I will be advised that I will I have to add more drugs into the mix. Because I'm not sure I am willing to do that. It becomes a quality of life issue. How medicated do I want her to be in her "golden years"? Obviously I don't want her in pain, but if making that happen requires keeping her medicated all the time, or if trying to prevent the advance of symptoms that will cause her distress involves a constant barrage of dosing her with this and that, in addition to injecting her, pricking her ear, etc. well, I don't think it is worth it. I may understand the reason for the struggle, but she doesn't. I shouldn't try to anticipate the specialist, but I do want to be realistic and prepared for her maybe not having a good prognosis. In which case I need to be strong and make the right decision for her, not me. So I worry and I wonder. Can't turn it off at the moment. Of course, the specialist may be very positive and encouraging, in which case all this angst will have been for nothing. It is going to be a long week. But thanks - your encouragement is appreciated.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Lots of kitties here have diabetes and pancreatitis, but I understand you might be dealing with other issues too. Of course it's always a quality of life issue with our kitties.

Here's a Quality of Life Scale I found on a CKD site as well as some other info on QOL that explains the scale more

All that being said, I still think it's worth trying to get the diabetes under control...it really can make a big difference in her Quality of Life. There's also a sentence on Tanya's site I think is worth reading. It says "I have also heard from people who have been told they will "just know" and who are so worried about looking into their cat's eyes for "the signs", that they neglect to enjoy their time with their cat." (italics are mine)

Your kitty is very good about picking up on your worry and stress. Try to calm down and take things one day at a time and enjoy her while she's with you

 

[MMM]

Yes, I've been told that by other friends. One kitty who was very sick stopped purring - then they knew. Another friend's cat is still lively and interested - so although she needs another operation - it is not time to say "goodbye" yet. A lady I know who has had a number of cats simply told me "you will know" but that was after she told me that one day she sitting with and petting her cat (so, enjoying time with him) and then she looked into his eyes and knew. Bailey and I have been having plenty of lap time (and a little play time once in awhile still). In fact now that I will have a few days off work, we will have even more (plus I will have time to do some of the housework that has gone neglected because lap time has taken priority). I guess I am just trying to not be in denial - just in case - to the point of going overboard. I often have a tendency to overthink things and am doing so big time. Halting that a work in progress. Thanks for the info. It is very much in line with my way of thinking...except more balanced.