5/11 Niko AMPS 216

[Niko’s Mom]

Hi everyone! First post on this forum I’ve taken a break for a little bit because of stuff at work and also this diabetes journey has been pretty hard on my mental health. I do want to thank Bhooma for being there for me though, you are so appreciated

Niko is on his first day of 1.50 increase today. He had a really low event on Apr 27, where he spent an alarming time in the 30s (thankfully asymptomatic) and I think his liver has decided to employ its tactical troops

I’ve been doing some research and found that some kitties can be stuck in bounce loops for up to 2 weeks, where the liver keeps putting out hormones to keep BG elevated, basically putting the endocrine system into overdrive. I’m pretty sure this is what’s happening with Niko, because he has brief green breaks every few days and then his liver overrides it. You can see his yellow-blue bounce waves following in the spreadsheet.

I’m so tired, I hope his liver can calm down soon and learn to trust the greens again. We were super hopeful when he was actively in the blue-greens but alas the sugar dance continues.

Hope you all are having a wonderful day.

 

[Helen + Noogi]

Nice to see you here in the new place Ana. Welcome back
I'm sorry to hear you've been having such a challenging time with little Niko recently. I think we can all sympathize with the strains of being a caregiver, especially when things aren't going to plan. Sending hugs, and crossing paws for an improvement soon

 

[Niko’s Mom]

Nice to see you here in the new place Ana. Welcome back
I'm sorry to hear you've been having such a challenging time with little Niko recently. I think we can all sympathize with the strains of being a caregiver, especially when things aren't going to plan. Sending hugs, and crossing paws for an improvement soon

Thanks Helen he’s such a young boy so I’m hopeful to get him regulated soon but it has been a tough few weeks. It’s a tough life being a CG!

 

[Mary & Jude]

I hope he can calm down soon, too, Ana . Hang in there...you're being such a good care giver!

 

[Niko’s Mom]

I hope he can calm down soon, too, Ana . Hang in there...you're being such a good care giver!

Thank you Mary! I try my best. It really seems like he has developed some sort of temporary insulin resistance as a result of this cortisol and glucagon onslaught, hence the immovable yellows. I think I just need to wait for him to ride it out but it is FRUSTRATING!!

 

[Laurie & Petey]

Glad you're here. I'm sorry it's been hard, I can totally relate. I have cried more in the last few months than the last 10 years! It is hard and more time consuming than I ever imagined. I've tried to figure out how to not let diabetes rule my life, and come up short.

Not to mention, unless you're the active CG, no one understands. I am SO glad we are all in this together for our furbabies.

You're an amazing Mama doing all you can and I hope Niko finds his dose soon.

 

[Niko’s Mom]

Glad you here. I'm sorry it's been hard, I can totally relate. I have cried more in the last few months than the last 10 years! It is hard and more time consuming than I ever imagined. I've tried to figure out how to not let diabetes rule my life, and come up short.

Not to mention, unless you're the active CG, no one understands. I am SO glad we are all in this together for our furbabies.

You're an amazing Mama doing all you can and I hope Niko finds his dose soon.

Thank you Laurie! I’m glad this community understands and I totally hear you. So far it’s been only 4 months but ive had some bad breakdowns I haven’t ever had in my life lol. It’s funny because Niko is clearly into the routine, happy to get affection after insulin and treats, totally ok with the testing. And by all means, he is better physically - back to his regular weight, managed ketones, drinking less and eating normally, yet I get so caught up in the numbers, I sit there crying over the meter while he’s just waiting for me to play with him, like what the heck, mom? Lol!

I’m super grateful to have my partner and a friend who is willing to pet sit him, I know not all CGs are this lucky. That way I can still enjoy other aspects of my life. I just want the best for him considering his age. I’m hopeful but it’s just the “non linear” journey that has me so stressed!!

I appreciate your kind words. You have done so well with Petey.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Always remember, our kitties are so much more than their numbers. That's why we like to hear the WCR or whole cat report. Sounds like Niko is doing great that way.

As far as the numbers go, I recommend getting a comfy pair of patience pants. When you see green on a dose, hold it at least 10 cycles. When you reduce, wait for the bounce to be over before increasing. The increase on the 29th was premature. I know how easy it is to get frustrated when you see a climb to a pink preshot, but sometimes kitties will do that before they break the bounce and come slamming down.

 

[Niko’s Mom]

Always remember, our kitties are so much more than their numbers. That's why we like to hear the WCR or whole cat report. Sounds like Niko is doing great that way.

As far as the numbers go, I recommend getting a comfy pair of patience pants. When you see green on a dose, hold it at least 10 cycles. When you reduce, wait for the bounce to be over before increasing. The increase on the 29th was premature. I know how easy it is to get frustrated when you see a climb to a pink preshot, but sometimes kitties will do that before they break the bounce and come slamming down.

Thanks, Wendy. You and Bhooma are my voices of reason lol. You are right, Niko is great by all other means

And got it. I think I was so quick to increase because I got scared of his ketones (he goes up to 7 or 8 sometimes if he doesn’t go beneath the renal threshold in at maximum two cycles). Thankfully, it seems he is receiving enough insulin to not get up to that level anymore, which is definitely progress.

Keeping that in mind — I should keep 1.50 for 6 cycles unless he goes below 50? And if he touches a green on this, I reset and hold for another 10 cycles from that green?

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Keeping that in mind — I should keep 1.50 for 6 cycles unless he goes below 50? And if he touches a green on this, I reset and hold for another 10 cycles from that green?

You keep 1.5 units based on what nadirs you are seeing. You hold a minimum of 6 cycles. With blue nadirs (one so far!) you hold 6-10 cycles total. With green nadirs, you hold 10 cycles total, unless regulated. The count starts from when you first shoot 1.5 units.