I'm will be calling the vet today to get a perscription for Lantus. Is this a good insulin? What should I start his dose at? What if I can't curve all time? I work random hours all week long and during the weekends? Will this effect Thumbs and how much insulin to give him if I don't know what his peak ect is at? Also thumbs ears are getting a little red from home testing if there anything I can do for that and are his ears sore from testing? If I use alcohol on his ears before testing will that help?
Swtiching from Humulin N to Lantus
- Thread starter pascuzzi
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squeem3
Very Active Member
pascuzzi said:
Yes, Lantus is a good insulin to use :smile: Ask the vet to specify the Lantus SoloStar pens on the prescription. They are more economical than the 10 ml bottle. A box of SoloStar pens is around $250 or so but there are 5 pens in the box so the cost per pen is less than a $115 or so bottle. Each pen lasts aabout a month or so. You just stick the insulin syringe needle into the rubber stopper at the end of the pen to get the insulin out. There is a $25 coupon for the SoloStar pens posted in the Supply Closet. There is also a thread in the Supply Closet on how to order insulin from online Canadian pharmcies for less than what you would pay at a US pharmacy.
The typical starting dose for any insulin is no more than 1 unit twice a day.
Curves don't need to be done all the time. Once a month is plenty if that's all you can do :smile: A few random bg checks daily in addition to the bg test before the insulin shot is very helpful, if you can do that. Evening bg checks is fine.
Read the Lantus stickies to understand how the insulin works, how to use a SoloStar pen, about the "shed", etc: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=9
The "relaxed" method of Lantus may work better for you than the "tight regulation" method. You can browse around the "relaxed" Lantus board to see how the method works: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=32
You can use Neosporin first aid ointment on the ears to minimze brusing and redness.
Hope + (((Baby)))GA
Very Active Member
Do Not use Alcohol......it will dry the skin out and possibly burn his sore spots. Remember after each poke to apply a little pressure on the spot to minimize bruising and also stop the bleeding. I have never used anything on any of the cats over the years and they have always been fine.
C
Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)
Guest
What is the current dose of Humulin?
You said you work a random schedule? Will you be able to give the shots 12 hours apart every day?
And what numbers have you been getting on Thumb's tests?
Oh, and what kind of food does he eat?
Carl
You said you work a random schedule? Will you be able to give the shots 12 hours apart every day?
And what numbers have you been getting on Thumb's tests?
Oh, and what kind of food does he eat?
Carl
The vet wanted me to start him at 3u but everyone on here said that was to much. So I switched him down to 1u every 12 hours. Sometimes I would be an hour late or early. Is that bad? I would always test before I give the shot. Which is getting more difficult. I have one day off one week and two the next. I'm giving him shots at 4am and 4pm. I was thinking switching it 9am and 9pm? I could give it to him before I go to work during the week then every other weekend I would have to give it to him around 730 before I work. So he would get it early those days. During the evenings I'm usually home by 9pm or so. Need Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :roll: I won't be able to get the Lantus till next week. Need to save money and all the pharmacies around my area its about $126.00 - $150.00. I need to do more research to see if I can get it online for cheaper. One more thing...I know this is a lot sorry. I got a relion confirm meter cause the aviva meter I got from a friend the test strips were $60 for 50. So I switched is that meter ok? Thank you all for such great support and advise. I would be lost with out you all and going more crazy. Sometimes I feel like I'm losing my mind.
squeem3
Very Active Member
pascuzzi said:
You can start the Lantus at 1 unit twice a day with no worries. You could even do 0.5 units if you want to be cautious.
Lantus really needs to be dosed as close to 12 hours apart as possible. An hour off here and there kind of throws bgs off. Youc an post in the relaxed Lantus group for more help on how to dose with your varied work schedule. The relaxed board is a bit slow so if you don't get a response, post in the tight regulation board.
The 10 ml bottle seems cheaper now but in the long run it costs you more money because you have to shell out $120 or whatever nearly every single month for a new bottle. The bottle just doesn't last for more than a month, sometimes a bit longer. And with a 1 unit BID dose, you only use up like 30 units out of the entire bottle (1000 units) in a month and it's a huge waste to throw away the other 970 units of insulin.
The SoloStar pens are 3 ml each and can be used for at least a month. So less insulin is thrown away when it starts to "poop out". Some people have bought a single SoloStar pen insead of the entire box from the pharmacy but it seems like this is done at the discretion of the pharmacist.
Check into buying from online Canadian pharmacies. Here is the thread with the info: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=11530
You can use a free prsecription drug card at the local pharmacy to save some money. Here is one for pets who need medicines purchased at the Human pharmacy, like Lantus: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=53397
You can check the price of Lantus at your local pharmacies using this web site: http://www.goodrx.com/
Yes, the Relion brand of meters is fine to use. Many people here use a Relion meter.
Thumbs seems to be more hungry now that the dry food is gone. Is that normal? He's still having breathing issues. He's had been on antibiotics for two weeks. This is a concern for me. The vet said I should start him at 2u when I get the lantus. Should I just start with 1 and see w how that nervous about not always being able to get him his shots every 12 hours. Will this effect remission? His bf has been in the high 300 every morning. Should I up his dose of humilm but again not home to do a curve. The vet said I could pay $150 for them to do a curve for me?
hmjohnston
Very Active Member
Last thing first- a vet curve is a waste of TIME and MONEY. Plus the readings are not accurate because of stress of being at the vet so it is just a waste. Save the $150 for the insulin pens as they will be better for you in the long run.
Hungry... YES, he will be hungry until he gets regulated. An unregulated cat is literally starving, so a twice a day feeding schedule is not good at all. Plus, taking out the dry carb- while good- makes the cats feel they are missing something. until regulated they will eat a lot regardless. Sneakers went from 18-20oz/day to 8-10oz/day. It took quite a while, too. But once Thumbs numbers start getting better he will eat like a horse.
Breathing- does he have asthma? What kind of antibiotics- what was it for?
Starting at 2u is a bit high if you are only doing 1u humulin right now. I suggest that 1u or even .5u as a starting dose would be safer.
Schedules are difficult- escpecially if you are on a 12 hour shift like a nurse or a fireman :lol: . Do the best you can to get it as close to 12 as you can. I go to school 2x a week. For those days my mom comes and tests/shoots Sneakers for me so she gets her shot on a 12/12 schedule rather than 4 hours after and then early the next day. So if there is a friend or relative you feel comfortable teaching how to test and shoot (and feel comfortable doing so) ask for help. It won't effect his regulation- just make it harder to achieve in the long term- read up on shooting early/late in the sticky notes to help keep the dose as consistent as possible- even if you can't shoot it.
The lantus will help level off the numbers- that is the idea any way :lol: . Give it a few weeks, ask about raising the dose in the lantus forum. I think the reason his BG is high in the mornings is humulin is very short acting and quick. It doesn't stay in the system like lantus does. Once Thumb is on a proper insulin you should see improvement.
Hungry... YES, he will be hungry until he gets regulated. An unregulated cat is literally starving, so a twice a day feeding schedule is not good at all. Plus, taking out the dry carb- while good- makes the cats feel they are missing something. until regulated they will eat a lot regardless. Sneakers went from 18-20oz/day to 8-10oz/day. It took quite a while, too. But once Thumbs numbers start getting better he will eat like a horse.
Breathing- does he have asthma? What kind of antibiotics- what was it for?
Starting at 2u is a bit high if you are only doing 1u humulin right now. I suggest that 1u or even .5u as a starting dose would be safer.
Schedules are difficult- escpecially if you are on a 12 hour shift like a nurse or a fireman :lol: . Do the best you can to get it as close to 12 as you can. I go to school 2x a week. For those days my mom comes and tests/shoots Sneakers for me so she gets her shot on a 12/12 schedule rather than 4 hours after and then early the next day. So if there is a friend or relative you feel comfortable teaching how to test and shoot (and feel comfortable doing so) ask for help. It won't effect his regulation- just make it harder to achieve in the long term- read up on shooting early/late in the sticky notes to help keep the dose as consistent as possible- even if you can't shoot it.
The lantus will help level off the numbers- that is the idea any way :lol: . Give it a few weeks, ask about raising the dose in the lantus forum. I think the reason his BG is high in the mornings is humulin is very short acting and quick. It doesn't stay in the system like lantus does. Once Thumb is on a proper insulin you should see improvement.
I can't remember the name of the anitbotics due to ending it last week. He doesn't have asthma or the vet didn't mention that. At one point when I found out he was diabetic he was gasping for air and would pee cause he couldn't breath. The antibotics helped to clear that up but he is still congested. I amlost put him down that day cause I couldn't watch him not be able to breath. I took the chance on it getting better and over all it has but its still lingering. It was because his chest xrays came back hazy but no tumor. It will only be two days every other week I won't be able to give it to him on time. Should I just skip those days? What if nobody feels comfortable testing him? I'm stuck. How long does insuiln last? I guess I never thought about that.
Also if he is hungry all the time should I just feed him when hes hungry? But I need to make sure he eats before I shot. So should I free fed him based on that? I looked at timed feeders and at this moment I can't afford it. Just like the insulin. I kinda wish I could give him to someone who could care for him properly with all this. I just feel like I'm not doing what I should with not being able to afford all this stuff he needs. :cry:
Larry and Kitties
Very Active Member
Other good insulins are Levemir and ProZinc and they are not any less expensive than Lantus.pascuzzi said:
Tara & Buster
Very Active Member
There's a link from the homepage that talks about financial aid - perhaps that has helpful information?
http://www.felinediabetes.com/vetbills.htm
http://www.felinediabetes.com/vetbills.htm
squeem3
Very Active Member
pascuzzi said:
Do you know your work schedule ahead of time? If so, you can probably work out some arrangment with a pet sitter who has experience with diabetic pets or a vet tech at your vet's office to cover the times you won't be able to test bg and give insulin.
Where do you live? There may be a FDMB member who lives nearby and may be willing to help you out.
Lantus dosen't work if you skip insulin shots randomly.
Depends. Unopened insulin can last until the expiration date printed on the label.
An opened in-use Lantus bottle can last as little as month to as much a 3 or 4 months before it poops out. An opened in-use Lantus SoloStar pen can last at least a month. If you see things floating inside the bottle or pen or if bgs are higher than usual and there is no explanation of it (like an infection), then the insulin is considered "pooped out" (lost effectiveness) and you should start a new bottle or pen.
Levemir is less fragile than Lantus and can last a bit longer. Most people here use the Levemir FlexPens instead of the 10 ml bottle.
I'm not sure about ProZinc. Here's a thread about how long ProZinc can last: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=49824
pascuzzi said:
You can free feed the canned food. Try looking on Craigslist or FreeCycle.org for anyone who is giving away a programmable timed feeder. You can post a want ad if you don't see any offers. You should probably be specific in your ad for a programmable timed feeder for pets and not for one of those auto gravity dry food feeders.
Here are tips on how to save money on diabetic costs: http://binkyspage.tripod.com/frugal.html
Diabetic Cats In Need may be able to help you with some supplies. Here is the info: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=29083
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