Abe Ngoma, a middle school math teacher in Houston, Texas, has lived with type 2 diabetes for over 20 years. Despite being a marathoner and long-distance bike rider, his diagnosis initially shocked him, especially since diabetes runs in his family. After trying traditional diabetes management strategies, it wasn’t until he discovered continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in 2020 that everything changed for the better.
Here’s how CGM transformed his experience managing diabetes:
The Challenge
Abe was always active, but as his diabetes progressed, his condition worsened. By 2011, he began losing weight and feeling dizzy during marathons and long bike rides, signs that his diabetes was taking a toll. His doctor initially recommended an insulin pump, but he didn’t think it would fit into his active lifestyle, so he managed with three types of insulin for several years. But it wasn’t enough.
The Turning Point
During the pandemic, Abe kept seeing ads for the FreeStyle Libre 2 CGM, which tracks glucose levels in real time. Intrigued, he discussed it with his doctor and got one. This decision became a game-changer for him.
The CGM allowed him to monitor how different foods impacted his blood sugar in real-time. He discovered that the high-fiber cereal he had been eating actually caused his glucose levels to stay high for too long, and that not all types of bread affected him the same way. This data helped him make more informed choices about what to eat and when, leading to better control over his diabetes.
The Benefits
Using the CGM not only helped Abe fine-tune his diet but also optimized his training and performance for long bike rides. Previously, he had believed he needed to carb-load the day before events, but he learned through the CGM that he didn’t always need to do that. On long rides, he could often rely on Gatorade and water, only needing to eat more substantial snacks like bananas or peanut butter sandwiches after about 50 miles. His glucose levels typically stayed stable for the first 50 miles, but the CGM alerted him when it was time to refuel.
Additionally, the CGM’s real-time alerts helped him avoid dangerous glucose drops during rides. If his glucose levels were getting low, the device would beep, allowing him to take action before things got critical. His friends, who were aware of the beep, also helped him stay on top of his glucose needs, ensuring he didn’t experience dizziness or hypoglycemia on the bike.
The Outcome
Now, Abe has greater control over his diabetes, even reducing his insulin use to just one meal a day instead of all three. On some days, he goes two to three days without needing insulin at all. He credits the CGM with helping him take charge of his health and reclaim his life. With the freedom to pursue his athletic passions without the guesswork, he feels empowered.
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