The current state of Jonah's weird reaction

[Elizabeth]

? - Very bizarre: serotonin syndrome versus unusual reaction to lower numbers???

Per the thread above, have been dealing with A LOT with Jonah. I now think that the initial sedation after 3 days of Mirataz was one thing, and the ongoing agitation, disorientation, confusion, and ataxia is another, perhaps due to a reaction to the higher dose of Lantus, his intolerance of numbers in green, or something else.

I skipped his PM dose last night. Once the numbers got into the 300s, he seemed improved. Not normal, but a little more responsive, a little less confused.

This AM he is much the same. Ie, no further improvement. But maybe it will take a while, if it works, for the depot to run out.

I have to be out of the house the AM so am not going to give him a shot, even at lower dose. I need my cat back. So I am OK with returning to uncontrolled and then starting over if we can get this thing gone.

Vet wants me to go for an internal medicine consult. But if it was a drug reaction that caused permanent damage, what's the point? And if the drug reaction idea is all wrong and he has a brain tumor, again, what's the point? He is almost 16 and has been through so much medically--I won't put him through more.

So that is where things stand.

The Prozinc is on its way and if I can get these symptoms resolved, we can start again. Fingers crossed.

 

[Tim & Pookey]

Sorry you’re going through this, Elizabeth. That is scary. I don’t have any suggestions to add, just sending good vibes for improvement…

P.s. just reading again, Elise’s comment about that drug being the antidote to the syndrome is interesting. Maybe the IM person could explore this angle with you.

 

[Elizabeth]

Sorry you’re going through this, Elizabeth. That is scary. I don’t have any suggestions to add, just sending good vibes for improvement…

P.s. just reading again, Elise’s comment about that drug being the antidote to the syndrome is interesting. Maybe the IM person could explore this angle with you.

Yes, I know that. I just know how these things go. They want to do 50 invasive tests before they will actually do anything. And that's a hard no for Jonah.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Sending you lots of healing wishes and energy for your sweet Jonah. I’m so sorry you’ve both been through so much lately, Elizabeth

 

[Elizabeth]

Sending you lots of healing wishes and energy for your sweet Jonah. I’m so sorry you’ve both been through so much lately, Elizabeth

Thank you. On top of this, my horse has a lac on his cornea and may lose the eye and because this requires treatment 2x a day, and even though I am going to the barn every AM (2 hour round trip), so the barn owner only has to do once a day, we have been told to start looking for a new place because they basically dont want to do anything, so we are "high maintenance."

So. . . It's a lot. I'm usually really good at coping, but this is taxing even my abilities.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Thank you. On top of this, my horse has a lac on his cornea and may lose the eye and because this requires treatment 2x a day, and even though I am going to the barn every AM (2 hour round trip), so the barn owner only has to do once a day, we have been told to start looking for a new place because they basically dont want to do anything, so we are "high maintenance."

So. . . It's a lot. I'm usually really good at coping, but this is taxing even my abilities.

It is a lot, Elizabeth. I’m not sure anyone would cope very well with all that going on at the same time

 

[Elizabeth]

I have decided to let him go. With IBD/pancreatitis, then diabetes, he's already been through so much in the past 3 years. I can't put him through more procedures and he cannot keep on as he is. I need to stop being a selfish bitch. I have a Lap of Love appointment for Thurs PM.

My heart will never be the same without him.

 

[Suzanne and Darcy]

Oh no. I am so sorry to read this. Maybe he will surprise you and continue to improve. I’m so sorry.

 

[Max@tif+chai&mocha2]

if this is really what you are considering, why not try cyproheptadine? Prayers for whatever you decide. I’m so sorry.

 

[Elizabeth]

if this is really what you are considering, why not try cyproheptadine? Prayers for whatever you decide.

The only way I could get a serotonin syndrome dose would be via internal med. And they won't give me that without ruling out everything else (tumors, etc) via invasive testing. In addition, while cyproheptadine might have helped on day 1 or even day 3, my reading tells me that now, on day 6, the neuro damage is likely permanent. Treatment must be "immediate and aggressive," and that did not happen.

 

[Max@tif+chai&mocha2]

So sorry. So sad for you.

 

[Mary & Jude]

This is incredibly heart-breaking Elizabeth. I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you.

 

[Elizabeth]

This is incredibly heart-breaking Elizabeth. I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you.

I've known and loved him since 2009, when I whisked him out of a rural road at age 4 weeks just ahead of an F250. Not sure what my life looks like him without him.

 

[JL and Chip]

*If* by any chance Jonah’s BG went low enough to cause a symptomatic hypo (and I’m not saying that’s what happened) and/or he is sensitive to Lantus or whatever, then it can take a few days or even longer to recover. Some do, some don’t. I’m not questioning your decision ((hugs)), I’ve just absolutely been where you are right now and want to make sure you have full info ahead of time. Between Jonah and your horse and sleep deprivation and stress, it can alter our thinking and push us over the edge. I just don’t want you to have any regrets.

If you decide to wait a few more days (again, not saying you should, you’re there with Jonah and know him best), then I would encourage you to give the Prozinc a chance rather than give no insulin at all.

For what it’s worth, I’m sorry about the horse situation. It sucks to be dependent on someone else, and their moods, and their knee-jerk reactions, when you’re already in medical crisis mode and just want your horse to be treated and ok. To even drop the suggestion that you move stables is another gut punch you don’t need right now. Ask me how I know.

Many years ago I lost my Charlie — he was my soulmate kitty and we fought IBD, diabetes, CRF, chronic pancreatitis, inappetance, hepatic lipidosis, you name it. He too came to me as a small kitten. My goodbye post to him was 2 message boards ago and the database was lost, but my memory of it is vivid and my thoughts back then echo your words …. No more extensive tests that won’t make a difference, no more pain and struggling, no more hanging on just for me (as I’m sure he was doing), and how, oh how, was I ever going to live without him. I felt for several years that it was like we were walking tenuously along the rim of the Grand Canyon and that the slightest breeze would push us off the cliff. At a certain point, you just give them that final gift.

I will be thinking of you tomorrow and sending positive energy and strength your direction.

 

[Elizabeth]

*If* by any chance Jonah’s BG went low enough to cause a symptomatic hypo (and I’m not saying that’s what happened) and/or he is sensitive to Lantus or whatever, then it can take a few days or even longer to recover. Some do, some don’t. I’m not questioning your decision ((hugs)), I’ve just absolutely been where you are right now and want to make sure you have full info ahead of time. Between Jonah and your horse and sleep deprivation and stress, it can alter our thinking and push us over the edge. I just don’t want you to have any regrets.

If you decide to wait a few more days (again, not saying you should, you’re there with Jonah and know him best), then I would encourage you to give the Prozinc a chance rather than give no insulin at all.

For what it’s worth, I’m sorry about the horse situation. It sucks to be dependent on someone else, and their moods, and their knee-jerk reactions, when you’re already in medical crisis mode and just want your horse to be treated and ok. To even drop the suggestion that you move stables is another gut punch you don’t need right now. Ask me how I know.

Many years ago I lost my Charlie — he was my soulmate kitty and we fought IBD, diabetes, CRF, chronic pancreatitis, inappetance, hepatic lipidosis, you name it. He too came to me as a small kitten. My goodbye post to him was 2 message boards ago and the database was lost, but my memory of it is vivid and my thoughts back then echo your words …. No more extensive tests that won’t make a difference, no more pain and struggling, no more hanging on just for me (as I’m sure he was doing), and how, oh how, was I ever going to live without him. I felt for several years that it was like we were walking tenuously along the rim of the Grand Canyon and that the slightest breeze would push us off the cliff. At a certain point, you just give them that final gift.

I will be thinking of you tomorrow and sending positive energy and strength your direction.

It's been 6 days now since onset of symptoms with no improvement. I feel sure about my decision, especially knowing him as I do.