Newly diagnosed and scared

[Pbalca426]

Hi just got back from specialist so wanted to check in with his update. I did get all of Rambos test results and his levels after his induction phase were 2.7 post and 6.7 at 1 hour. Doctor took sample to run another blood and urinalysis today. He told me to try giving half a lysodren tablet 3 times a week rather then 2 times a week and to recheck with stim test in 1 month. I also asked him about the 1-2 year life expectancy which I have seen on so many websites in my hours upon hours of reseraching. He said that is the average but many dogs are diagnosed later in life which could be the reasoning. I have read so many positive stories on here which give me hope! Hope all goes well! Thanks all!

[molly muffin]

He is right, dogs being diagnosed later in life can mean that 1 - 2 years might be their normal life expectancy or that something else medically was going on. It all depends on the individual situation and I don't find that there is anything set in stone.

Usually with lysodren, you are looking for a post of just under 5.0ug, so you are very close with where you are.

[Pbalca426]

Just to update: I just received a call from the vet with Rambos blood test and urinalysis today. He mentioned a couple things were a litthe high but that's to be expected with the cushings. He also mentioned that his phosphorus levels were high and that he didn't have an answer for that right now. He said its sometimes due to dehydration or kidney problems. He also mentioned some protein in his urine and said he would like to run a test on that but to wait until we do another ACTH test and get his levels down to where they need to be .

[molly muffin]

I wouldn't worry too much about what is high today if the vet isn't and do a retest after his next ACTH and see which way things are trending.

[Pbalca426]

Thank you, I was freaking out a little bit at first after hearing kidney problems! But you are right, the vet didnt seem to think it was anything too urgent to worry about so we have an appointment to retest everything in a month and will update again! Fingers crossed I will be able to update with positive news! Thank you so much for all of your help!!

[qsmom]

Hi Pbalca, We have a 9 year old Boston Terrier, Quincy (neutered male) and we are in the early stages of the diagnostic process. His ALP is slightly higher than normal and his ultrasound showed bilateral enlargement of adrenals (which suggests PD Cush). He will have an LDDS test on 2/1/18. How is Rambo doing? Is he responding well to meds? Any issues?

[Pbalca426]

Hello, I'm sorry to hear about your boy Quincy! There are definitely some great people on here to help though! Rambo started on lysodren a little over 2 months ago. After his initial loading phase his urination and water consumption had started to decrease. His last ACTH at the beginning of the month revealed his levels were a little high again so we had increased his weekly lysodren dosage from 2 times weekly to 3 times. Rambo is 27 pounds and the dose he takes is half a tablet which is 250 mg. We haven't had any of the negative side effects on the medication. He's remained his happy playful self through it all. His urination and drinking has increased some again which I'm hoping will resolve once we get his numbers back down where they need to be. The specialist i seen a couple weeks ago told me treating cushings is more of an art then a science, what works for one dog may not work for others. I know it's very scary especially at the beginning! I read so many scary on things on the internet and was scared to death starting lysodren. But after finding this site I felt much better and more prepared! Don't be afraid to ask any questions you have!

[Pbalca426]

Hello, hope everyone is doing well. Just wanted to do a quick update/get some advice and opinions. After increasing Rambos lysodren dose to 1/2 tablet every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday he had another ACTH test on February 12th. He also took blood to test that day which he said those results were normal and that his kidneys looked good. The ACTH results came back pre 2.8 and post 17.6, which the the previous post a month prior was 10.6 We then increased dose to alternating 1/2 tablet and 3/4 tablet Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. We got another ACTH done this monday 2/26 and the vet called today and said his specific gravity is about normal which is a really good sign and his ACTH numbers were virtually the same as last time. He said to keep doing the same thing and to retest in a couple months. I told vet Rambo is still drinking and peeing a lot and he said he did not want to increase the dose anymore and that specific gravity doesn't lie so we should be good

I have quite a few concerns about this and I'm going to be calling specialist to schedule another appointment with him. Rambo didn't drink any water the morning before I took him in for his testing monday, could this be the reason his specific gravity was up? Rambo has been acting happy and healthy through it all which I am sooo thankful for but am getting so frustrated at this point!! Any help, advice, or suggestions would be soooo very much appreciated!! Thank you so much!

[Harley PoMMom]

Was Rambo's urine collected at his first morning pee? Regarding the last ACTH stim results, how long was he on this alternating 1/2 tablet and 3/4 tablet Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday regimen before the test was preformed?

[Pbalca426]

I took him to the vet at 9:00 am and they collected his urine there, so it wasn't his first pee of the morning. He had been doing his current dosing regimen for 2 weeks when he was retested this Monday.