Have I finally found my friends? (Palmer has crossed over the Bridge)

[Bailey's Mom]

Scott-thanks for the explanation, what there is, of what happened.

Cushy-I think I did a search on "Cushings' Forum." Then I just started checking out whatever came up. I have tried many, many times to find a way back to everyone. None of them were successful before. It's so nice to see the names and the pictures.

Anyone....we don't have any "friends." I'd love it if any of you would hop back on our page. Thanks.

Recent picture (like last weekend) of Palmer to come very soon. My son took the pictures....I've not seen them yet. I'll also post one when he looked "not well." Then you can see the progress. The one that is on there now is about 4 years old. It's my favorite picture of him, I think.

-Susan

[BestBuddy]

Susan you may have lost the site for a while but your friends are still here. I'm glad you found us again.
Jenny

[Bailey's Mom]

Hi guys and gals!
Palmer had his ACTH stim test today (Wed) and I will get the results sometime Thursday. I wanted to speak with the vet today when we took Palmer in, but she was tied up in surgery and while they gave her a message to call me, I never heard back.

As I shared earlier, Palmer has done really well on his regimen. In the past 2-3 days, however, there has been increased panting, lots of water consumption, what looks like an increase in the size of his belly, and I can feel those "hip bags." Just 4 days ago I was admiring how well he looked.

I'll post the test results as soon as I have them in hand. This is one tough disease....and worrying is always lurking around.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Susan,

Don't you just hate seeing these things!?! I do! Even when I am fairly sure the panting, etc. is weather related, that worrying takes over again. I really think Beth's idea of a blood cortisol meter is something that needs to be looked into.

Let us know what the results are when you get them and here's hoping they are right where they are supposed to be.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

[Bailey's Mom]

Leslie- Thanks for the positive wishes! What is a blood cortisol meter? I'll look it up when I finish here.

Stim test results are in hand. It appears to be great news!!!

There are 5 readings which are out of mid-range. They are:

Alk. Phosphatase 701 s/b 10 - 150
ALT (SGPT) 189 s/b 5 - 107
Chloride 104 s/b 105 - 115
B/C ratio 31.4 does not show reference range (??)
Neutrophil SEG 80 s/b 50 - 77

His pre-ACTH cortisol = 4.8
His post = 12.7

She took a urine sample this afternoon and will do an analysis and a culture. I should have those results tomorrow.

She said if they come back normal, we may increase the Lysodren to combat the return of symptoms.

All comments are welcome. The Alk/Phos and SGPT are the only ones that concern me. Also-vet says (as do test papers) a dog on Lysodren "should" have a post-SCTH of 5.....but she's not worried about Palmer's reading.

[StarDeb55]

Yes, the "ideal" post value should be 1-5. You need to keep in mind, though, that you need to treat the pup, & not try to match the textbook numbers as some of these pups have not "read the book". If you could remind us as to what lyso dose you are presently using, & Palmer's current weight. I quickly reviewed your thread, & I don't see that information. My concern is that a post of 12 is extremely high, & with the return of symptoms, I'm not really sure a simple increase in maintenance dosage is going to do the trick. Also, what was Palmer's last stim result prior to this one, & his lyso dosage at that point, if different than what he is currently on?

I hate to have ask all of these questions, again, but with the loss of the old site, we sometimes need a bit of a refresher as to what has been happening.

Debbie

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Susan,

A blood cortisol meter is something Beth dreamed up...it doesn't really exist as far as I know, but wouldn't it be great if it did!

I, too, am a bit concerned with the post reading of 12.7. That sounds like a ug/dl measurement and is a bit higher than is liked for a pup on treatment. Lyso pups usually shoot for a post of 5 and Trilo pups have a bit higher range, up to 9, if I remember correctly. Has Palmer had the UTK panel done again since the first one? With you seeing signs again, the high ALKP, and this post # on the ACTH, it might be worth considering.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

[Bailey's Mom]

Hi-
No problem here with number of questions asked or repeated!

First-Palmer is and has been on (for the last 3 months) Trilostane. The 15mg (1/2 pill) is where we started. We're going up from 15mg to 30mg daily. He weighs, at last check, 19 lbs. No we have not done a 2nd UTK-don't feel a reason to do that right now.

His urine tested out perfect so she cancelled doing a culture. We are going back in 3 months for another Stim Test. Of course changes in symptoms changes all that. If the increase in Trilo does not help to reduce the symptoms, I'll be back there sooner.

(I can't believe how I sound like I know what I am talking about vs. last October!)

I couldn't find a blood cortisol meter. Perhaps all of us could make and patent one? The proceeds could pay for all this testing!

The pre and post on the ACTH last time were 3.5 and 31.9. That was when we first started the Trilostane.

I just checked my financial info and I think I must have some test results that are not filed yet. I'll try to get the filing caught up and I'll post any changes to what I've told you. I think I'm going to put all this stuff on an
Excel spreadsheet just to be able to keep track of it. (the numbers)

I am dealing with a nice case of poison ivy which I think was a "gift" from Palmer. How thoughtful of him......

[StarDeb55]

She said if they come back normal, we may increase the Lysodren to combat the return of symptoms

So, Palmer isn't taking any lyso, now, only trilo? Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like your vet, now, also, wants to add lyso to the trilo to control the return of symptoms? Did you mean to say Trilo in the above quote, because I'm confused. I'm going to have to flag down some of the trilo parents, but I have never heard of this.

Please remember that we discussed with you the fact that Trilo pretty much always increases the levels of intermediate hormones. In fact, if I remember correctly, you e-mailed Dr. O about using Trilo, & he said you could, but you had to keep in mind that the intermediates would probably increase over time. In light of all of this, I would almost bet that increasing levels of intermediates are what is causing the return of Palmer's symptoms.

Debbie

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Susan,

I'm with Debbie here. The Trilo could easily be causing some of the other hormones to increase VS decrease, and an increase in these hormones could cause an increase in the cortisol levels due to the physiological stress of the hyperadrenal activity. Personally, I would want a repeat of the UTK panel asap. Don't forget that these other hormones can cause damages, too. I know you haven't!

Did Palmer have an ultrasound during the diagnostic phase? Was he determined to PDH or ADH? Are you seeing any behaviors that could not be weather related? or any new "oddities"? What form of lignans are you using - oil, capsules or hulls? Dr O wants Squirt switched to the hulls from the purified caps since some of her levels are still elevated. That might be a consideration if he is on the caps or oil. Just a thought.

You have learned a lot since coming on board here! You're getting to be an "old hand" at this stuff! Trust me, if my addled old brain can still learn new things, I know yours can!

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls