Testing - how often?

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We will be joining your group within a month when Mugsy is out of Vetsulin and starts using Lantus. I have never tested for BG before so am reading and viewing everything I can. However, one question never seems to be answered...how often is it really necessary to test after his curve is established? He hates his insulin shots and tries to avoid them (I don't blame him) and I'm terrible with a needle - can't even stand to look at one. Can I get away with one a day or week safely? His count has been under 130 on 2u bid Vetsulin since the end of July except when I messed up with his food or lower his dose briefly then it went up to the mid 200s. We are far from "rich" (on SS) and no matter how low the price, the cost hurts us yet, I won't think of not helping him. Advice anyone?
 
Welcome Sally and Mugsy! Other more experienced folks will be along to offer tons of advice, so I'm not going to address that other than to say that no, you absolutely cannot SAFELY get away with testing only once a day, much less once a week. A favorite saying around here is that shooting "blindly" (ie without testing beforehand) is like driving 90 mph with a bag over your head. Many of us here are "testaholics" and you CAN get away with not testing as much as some of us do. Feel free to visit other people's "condos" (threads) and check out their spreadsheets to get an idea how much others are testing.

Glad that you came here and will look foward to your posts in the future!
 
How long has Mugsy been on Vetsulin?
My Donovan was on Vetsulin initially, and then we switched to Levemir (similar to Lantus). The difference was really dramatic, and he was off insulin within months. When a cat responds that quickly and that well, it requires more frequent testing to keep them out of hypo danger. But that may last only a few weeks or months if you're fortunate enough to achieve remission. It's hard to say how Mugsy will respond to Lantus, but the fact that his numbers are already relatively low sounds promising. Donovan was in the 400s in Vetsulin.

And there are several ways to save money on testing. I bought strips off eBay at a much lower price than retail, for instance, and certain brands are less expensive than others.

MJ&Donovan
 
In Reply...... onset March 2008
diagnosed July 2008
Vetsulin February 2009 (when I could afford it)
his #s reached over 400 probably over 500 before discovering
this site and changing his diet...at the same time we seem
to have gotten a stable vial of Vetsulin
 
Hi Sally and Mugsy...Welcome to Lantus Land! We've only been here two weeks but the testing has been invaluable to us. I can't imagine doing this without
testing but as Anne said, the more experienced people can better advise you of how often. They have taught me so many things but the mantra "every cat is different (ECID)" is very important.

It's a great group....they have been incredibly helpful to us and we couldn't have come where we are without them.
 
It's great to hear from all of you. thanks for your reply posts. I'm not sure yet but, I think I'll try paw pads first....if he'll let me (he doesn't like his feet touched). Poor Mugsy has been through H... since he was a baby. a broken leg at 3 months, lost part of a toe in cat attack, a shattered front leg which left him with an unbendable leg at 6 months, I lost track of how many attacks by dogs he's suffered (the last one was 4 dogs attacking and one trying in vain to rescue him!). Then diabetes. Somehow he's made it to 7 1/2 but, I don't know how. I'm trying to take care of him but, like I said - I can't stand the sight of needles - plus I have a husband that needs constant watching since he's had several strokes and I'm already worn thin. Your support means a lot and Mugsy would already be dead without what I've learned here.
 
I believe you will find that the biggest obstacles are mental ones. The day I received Donovan's diagnosis of diabetes, I ran out and bought a blood glucose meter. But it took me several weeks to work up the guts to try it on him :oops:. Initially he wasn't thrilled about it (I started on paw pads too), but soon enough I became very good at ear pokeys. Heck, he purrs and barely wakes up when I do it now.

If you let us know where you are located, there may be someone nearby who can help you with testing methods.

MJ&Donovan
 
I am on day 4 of using Lantus. Each shot right now is 1 unit. I was told not to increase until next week. That Lantus takes time to build up in the cats system. Right now her numbers are pretty high, but she is definetly feeling so much better than when I had her on Humulin N and her numbers were jumping low too fast and right back up high too fast.

On Lantus, The first 2 days, I tested before each shot in AM and PM and at +2, +4, +6 after each shot.
Now I am testing before each shot and at +6 after each shot.

Eventually I will just test before each shot. And do curve tests once in awhile.

Lantus has a strict 12 hour rule. The shots have to be on a regular schedule of 12 hours apart each day.

Also Lantus expires 28-30 days after it is opened, so you might want to use the Pens that have less insulin in them than the 10 ml vial.

For instance, I bought the vial and will probably be throwing out 1/2 of the bottle.
 
As long as you don't have a vasovagal response (i.e., you pass out) from needles and blood, getting over the discomfort with needles is relatively easy. You need to keep telling yourself that it's not scary and you can do this!! There are a number of people here who are needle phobics and give their cats shots and test regularly. You really CAN do this!!

It sounds like you have your hands full. And it sounds like Mugsy has used up a couple of those 9 lives.

I'm one of the testaholics here. I do test a lot because it gives me a picture of what's going on with Gabby's numbers and, especially if her numbers are running low, a great deal of control over her cycle. The minimum that we recommend that someone test is at each pre-shot time and a minimum of one additional test per cycle. Most of us test considerably more.

The least expensive meter and strips are the Relion brand that is sold by Walmart. If there's a Walmart in your area, you might want to consider getting your testing materials there.
 
Count me as one of those needle-phobic people. It's VERY tough to get past that but it's possible. When I first had to start giving my dog insulin shots, the vet had to bring a tech in to "catch me if I passed out" and it took me almost 30 minutes to get the needle even close to his skin (poor, patient dog!) It was so much easier with my cat, Chester, when he was later diagnosed. Now I'm a very frequent tester and even have to give sub-Q fluids to another cat daily (that's taking a bit longer to get used to).

You can do this...it's not the most comfortable thing for a needle-phobic at first, definitely. But it can really boost your confidence to find that you've conquered your fear...and for such a good cause.

Best of wishes to you!
 
Thanks! all of you! Donovan - I live in extreme SW Georgia but, from the instructions and online info I believe I understand what I need to do. To Ginger et al - I am buying the pens not vial. To all - I will try not to pass out, get the lancet in the skin, and not throw up on him (eventually). I have recruited an assistant. I can't assign a special room because we live in a motorhome but, hopefully we can keep the place from looking like a torture chamber (although it would be good for Halloween). You've cheered me up and given me the will. Thank you. :-D
 
We've had one couple who lived on the road -- no access to a vet who knew their cat -- get their kitty OTJ (off the juice).

If passing out is a possibility, the trick is to not let your blood pressure drop. You do that by squeezing some of the bigger muscle groups -- pretty much everything from the waist down -- you tense and release the muscles as a way of keeping the blood pumping back up to your head. It takes a little practice. You might want to try the technique while watching videos on how to test on YouTube.

You can always post a note on the Health board where you ask if there's anyone who lives in your general area who could lend a had getting you started with testing.
 
Sally, I just wanted to chime in myself and say, "Hi!". I, personally, was never a needle-phobe when it came to getting injections on my own body, but just the idea of taking a needle to my boy, Rufus, made my hands shake. I resisted for three years! (My mother, whom I live with, did the insulin shots). I finally got sick of not being the one taking care of "my" cat and told her to teach me - I did it and now I'm the primary Rufus Caretaker. :) It's possible, and all you have to do is keep at it until it happens (... just don't make yourself get sick!)

I also want you to know that it's possible to do this on SS. I'm on SSI and I have occasionally needed a hand, but that's because I hadn't quite figured out my rhythm yet (ran out of strips, etc.). Now, I know how to plan better.

I second the Wal-Mart idea (or maybe order from their website?) I use a ReliOn as my back-up meter, and it works. That's all you really need out of a meter. Bells and Whistles are great, but you pay a pretty steep price for them. ReliOn also makes syringes, I understand, but I haven't tried them, so I can't give you a recommendation there.

I'm too new to be giving you technical lantus advice, but you can look at some spreadsheets to see how other people are learning/handling their testing needs. (Did someone already suggest that? I can't remember...)
 
Okay, I got the gist....Minimum is am & pm plus a nadir (6 hr), if possible, plus the curve checks. I promise to be brave and "kill" my husband NOT my cat when he yells for me while I'm testing or injecting. I WILL master this and I WILL keep you posted and share the spreadsheet. I ordered the Lantus pens, the meter and strips, and the lancet device and lancets today. Now I hope he doesn't run out of Vetsulin too soon. Better days are coming???!!! I'm being positive.
 
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