Zoe By My Side- Our Journey with Cushings

Well, Sharlene, I think this is harder for me to weigh since Zoe has been on the drug for so long. The twice day dosing was to benefit Zoe originally I hoped, as we went to higher doses it would be easier o her GI tract and keep her cortisol better controlled as she bounced around so.

We know Dechra has already told us to watch her closely as she may go too low and that we may have to lower her dose. That was what they worried about last April but the she bounced up a bit in August and was doing well. Now out of no where she drops all the way down to 1.9 and is having problems but also having great things happen.

If I read through Dr. Peterson's papers, it seems he would be lowering her dose now not waiting. One paper said 25-50% reuction, another said 50% reduction. Zoe has struggled with her evening dose, it just knocks her out sometimes and she would act like she had a headache.


Since the thought is we need a smaller total dose on twice day dosing, I am concerned the 30/10 will allow her cortisol to go to high.
I thought there were discussions and papers about their being a beneift to the adrenal glands with once day dosing. We know Trilostane enlarges the adrenal glands and we know that Dr. Church thinks they are filling up with fluid so I am wondering if it would be better for Zoe to allow her cortisol to rise higher at the end of the day instead of keeping it more evenly controlled throughout the day

I guess if I had a crystal ball I would know what to do.;) I dont expect her legs to be perfect, I just wish I could ger her back to how she was in late summer and early fall.

You know, the night she came home from her stim, she had been taking her evening nap and woke up for her snack. Her entire body was shaking. I have never seen that happen to her after a stim.

I guess I am thinking if she could be controlled on 30/10 without the side effects I would rather do that. If she becomes more symptomatic at night, I could switch to 20/20.

The vet wants me to keep her where she is 30/20, retest in 2-3 months and if she has an "episode" try giving her prednisone and see if she bounces back.

I dont think Dr. Peterson would tell me to do that.:(:(

Meanwhile her hair is still growing like crazy and then I wonder, well maybe it was the stim she got so bad again?

But she is just so much better today and I am home now sho I can juge. Durring the week I have to rely on hubby. He tries but he does not notice little things.

Geez I wrote a book again.

I am off to read Marianne papers. I have all three now, Dr. Peterson's peer review of Dr. Feldman's study, Dr. Feldmans and the German paper. Heavy reading tonight:):):):):)

dear addy
Know that Zoe is fighting for you and her? she is still here because of the love and caring you have given her. so for know try to be in the moments with her,enjoy the moments of joy.
Apollo, even when he could no longer walk, still enjoyed life. Like Zoe he fought so hard.
Hugs Sonja and Angel Apollo

Hi, Addy!

Just stopped in to say hello and Happy Thanksgiving! Hope all is well...or, at least okay! I'll post more of an update on my thread.

I see Sonja has been here today, too! Hi, Sonja!!!

Addy:
How is it in you neck of the woods this morning? We are frigid and in the single digits. The wind is still blowing really hard from yesterday. Hope Zoe is doing well. I read the links Marianne found for you. She is such a life saver. Tipper and I go to Pittsburgh at 5AM tomorrow so I am not doing much today. Blessings
Patti

Hey MB - I wnet to your thread to say howdy

Hi Patti- I sure hope it is not this cold when you drive tomorrow. We are at 10 degrees but clear. They are saying possible dusting of snow tomorrow when we wake up.

Zoe seems better this morning. She ate her breakfast as she used to do with no help from me, walked down to the mailbox in the freezing cold and just seems to be having an easier time of it walking, keeping her balance and getting up. She seems more normal to hubby too so I dont think it is me talking myself into something.:o Not sure what tomorrow will bring but we will take these improvements today! We are still on 30/10. My concern is will that dose allow her cortisol to go too high? I guess time will tell.

Enjoy your day!

Hi Addy

Is it thanksgiving today?? If so I hope the turkey cooking is going well!!

I will have to make do with the left over BBQ chicken I bought yesterday.

Very pleased to hear Zoe ate brekky and went walking, I can hear the worry in your voice and I so hope that she settles and hopefully soon but if a wee tweak is then so be it... fingers crossed xx

Quote:

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Originally Posted by addy

Hubby has flashing lights in his eyes now so we have to find a opthalmologist and watch to make sure he does not develop signs of a retina tear.:eek:

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What's with the frozen shoulders and the flashing lights? :confused: My husband asked me yesterday what it means when it feels like a bunch of needles are being stuck into the back of your knee cap. :eek: What's with these guys? :confused: Not getting enough attention??:eek::confused: Don't they know we're all handling more balls in the air than we can handle at one time already???:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Addy-has no one stepped in to attempt to fill Dr. Peterson's roll? Is his work not being continued by anyone?

I hope you had a relaxing Sunday.
Love,
Sus

Hubby goes for eye test this am, thank goodness, he has been so worried.

No Trish, Thanksgiving is Thursday, I just started wishing everyone well early because I have so much to do between now and then.

The replacement GP- well not super happy about the credentials.

Zoe had a slight head shake for about 7 seconds about an hour and 15 minutes after her 30mgs this am but it did not affect her balance and I dont see her ears shaking at all for 2 days.

Hubby thinks as well that she seems stronger, when we pick her up and set her down, she stands more solidly, we dont have to wait and hold her a minute so she does not fall over like we had been doing up until this dose change. All this started mid October. She was fine until mid October.

I was happy to be able to spend time with her for 2 days so I could observe her. Yesterday she went into her bed a few times in the bedroom she has not done that in a long time and she also asked to take her nap up on our bed which that stopped a few weeks before her stim. She could not get comfortable on our bed. She also is not so restless at night. She seems to be sleeping without moving around so. That started a few weeks too before her stim.

So far we have not seen anything negative with the dose change so hubby wants to give it a bit more time.

I cant believe it is snowing:(:(:(:(

Hi Addy:
I hope everything turns out ok for your hubby's eye test. You certainly don't need any other problems. I am glad to hear that Zoe seems stronger, I am hoping this works its way out whatever it was. Blessings
Patti

Thank you Patti, he is back home and it seems as it is not a retina tear. I'll hear all about it later tonight.

Zoe is back to trying to bit me when I go to undo the Velcro on her coat under her neck.:D:rolleyes: Never thought I would be happy for her to bite me:p:p That is more like my girl:D:D

I will try to post a new pix I took of her yesterday. She was upset I woke her up for a picture.