Remission!

[cjsmith]

I just got a REALLY good birthday present. It appears that Duchess is now in diabetic remission.

Details:
- She hasn't had her insulin shot today
- Her blood glucose has been around 100 all day
- The food she's on, and the insulin chosen for her, often have this effect if they are both started immediately
- I'll get her fructosamine blood work back Tuesday or Wednesday
- I am now to discontinue insulin until I get that phone call
- I am to monitor her for signs of diabetes return (increased thirst/urination, weight loss, listlessness)
- If it still appears she's in remission, we'll check her blood in a few weeks, then taper off until we're checking every six months or so

This happens in cats way, way more often than in humans. It's (nearly?) unheard-of in humans, but many kitties go into remission. I had no idea, even if we would be so lucky, that it could happen this fast.

Wow.

Comments

[anirishpenguin.livejournal.com]

YAY!!! Such great news! That must be a relief.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

*SUCH* a relief! Man! Of course she could need to go back on insulin again at any time. I'll have to watch her closely for the rest of her days, as she may go in and out of remission multiple times. But for now, YAY!

[ladycelia.livejournal.com]

Woohoo! Keeping all appropriate appendages crossed.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm amazed at how FAST it happened.

[therobbergirl.livejournal.com]

That's great!

My cat, Herbie, had his go into remission after about a year. He lived to a ripe old age.

My mother's diabetes also went into remission. She's gets pulled into studies now and then.

I'm glad that you've got such a great birthday present.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oh that's right, you're where I heard of humans also going into remission in rare cases! I wasn't sure where I'd heard that, which of course started me wondering WHETHER I'd heard that. :-)

Thanks!

[shadopanther.livejournal.com]

YAY! Good to hear for you & Duchess!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I wish I could explain to her that this means no more full days at the vet getting poked once an hour -- she'd be SO HAPPY.

[wordweaverlynn.livejournal.com]

Oh, how wonderful! Happy birthday!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I am very happy.

Yeah!

[thorswitch.livejournal.com]

That's wonderful news! My sweet Acyl had developed diabetes about a year or two before she passed away (at the age of 16 or so, so I don't think the diabetes was really much of a factor in that) and my folks had to give her insulin and such on a regular basis. It was hard, but she was such a wonderful little girl and was very content, so it was well worth it.

I hope Duchess can stay in remission for a very long time for you - it sounds like you're certainly doing all you can to help her along :)

Re: Yeah!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Duchess, like Acyl, is really a sweetie about the shots and all. I'm lucky she's in remission now, as she's only about thirteen or so and will have a fair bit of time for diabetes to affect her.

[thorswitch.livejournal.com]

Oh, woah, missed the "birthday" mention - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ BIG BIRTHDAY HUG }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Aw, THANKS! Yay birthday.

[erisian-fields.livejournal.com]

Yay!

I wonder what it is about cats that lets them go into remission but humans so rarely do? It's nifty regardless.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I have no idea. I'm sure people are studying it. We may some day find out -- wouldn't that be great?

[rampling.livejournal.com]

OMGOMGOMG!!! Such WONDERFUL news! And on your birthday too -- so perfect!

YAAAAAY for kitties in remission!!!

=^..^=

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yay for kitty health! I had stopped worrying quite so much about her once she quit dropping weight so rapidly, but it's still good to hear that she's in an even better state now. She has up to seven or eight years ahead of her, I'd guess, meaning that glucose control (or lack thereof) has time to make a real difference.

[dizzdvl.livejournal.com]

Yay! Happy Birthday kitty goodness!!!!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm very happy about it.

[layer.livejournal.com]

congrats and happy birthday. :)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm so pleased for my sweet kitty.

[kennita.livejournal.com]

Hurray! I'm very happy for both you and Duchess!

Happy Birthday, and may you both see many more!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! Yeah, she might well have quite a long lifespan for a cat. I sure hope so.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Yay! That's great news.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yeah, I'm very glad for her. I didn't want to lose her to end-stage renal failure or any of the other crappy things that diabetes complications can become.

[ohhjuliet.livejournal.com]

That is DEFINITELY the best birthday gift. Happy Birthday, CJ, and hurrah! Duchess.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

It's "wicked awesome". I am so happy for my furkitty.

[kimatha.livejournal.com]

Hooray for Duchess! And happy birthday!!!!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm SO happy for her. This truly is a great present.

[tattermuffin.livejournal.com]

hurray!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I so hope this is real! I've stopped the insulin, and so far (fingers crossed) she's still acting perky.

[joedecker.livejournal.com]

Happy, happy birthday, CJ.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :) Scritch a kitty or two for me?

[sunnydale47.livejournal.com]

YAAAY! That's wonderful !!! I didn't know cats could do that, and I'm so glad that Duchess is doing it! I hope it's a permanent remission and neither you nor Duchess has to deal with anything more than a semiannual checkup!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I learned about that early on when Duchess was diagnosed. Cats do, while dogs apparently don't and humans very rarely can. Fingers crossed on this one!

[valcat.livejournal.com]

My mom told me that Duchess got better and will not have to be going to The Bad Place so much or have bad things happen to her every day. I am very, very glad to hear that! You are a good kittymom to take such good care of your cats. I know Duchess must be very glad you live in her house.

Please say hello to my friend jackiecat too.

Purrs,
Val

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Hi Val! I think Duchess would be very happy if I could explain it all to her. Maybe I could have you talk to her and she would understand you. For now she is all confused that when I give her kitty treats she doesn't feel anything sting her on the shoulder.

jackiecat says to say hi back to you!

Scritches,
CJ

[jcgbigler.livejournal.com]

Yay for the Duchess, and happy birthday to you!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thank you on both counts!

[platypus]

Wooo!!! Yay for Dutchess, and happy birthday to you!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I was so pleased.

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

yeah and happy birthday :)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That sure did make it a good one.

[fuzzygruf.livejournal.com]

Good news! And happy birthday!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I am clearly much more excited about Duchess than about the birthday. I seriously thought you chose the cake as a reference to diabetes until I remembered that people eat cake on birthdays. :-)

[portia.livejournal.com]

That's terrific news! My parents' cat Max was recently diagnosed with diabetes. The food looked like it might help but unfortunately they had to start giving him insulin twice a day. Poor Max - he is a shadow of his former self but he seems to be getting better.

I will be sure to tell them about kitty diabetes remission! I had no idea that was possible.

Oh, and happy birthday! :o)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Duchess went on insulin almost immediately as well. I'm sure Max will perk up. Duchess was back to her old habits quickly, and she even gained back some of the weight she lost before treatment.

Apparently it's not only possible but fairly common for a cat to go into remission, especially early in treatment. Wikipedia claims some big numbers (scan down for "remission"). What insulin is Max on? I was lucky, it appears, and Duchess got insuline glargine, one of the most likely to prompt a remission. I hope Max responds equally spectacularly. Fingers crossed.

Thanks for the birthday wishes! :)

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

Bestest.Birthday.Present.EVAH!

*snugs* from me and the boys.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Isn't it great? Even if her fructosamine shows it's not a solid remission, I'm glad to see that she's at least BETTER.