CGM – Testimonials: HELP from Jane RD

By Jane Connell, RD • May 11, 2023

Stories from those who use a CGM.

Today guest contributor and registered dietitian Jane Connell continues her series on continuous glucose monitors.

Coach Jane’s Story

I used a CGM for the first time in February of 2021. What prompted me was that my Hemoglobin A1C (which is a measure of average blood sugars over the past 3 months) had moved up to the “high risk for diabetes” range, and my fasting blood glucose (which shows a single point in time) was also elevated.I honestly thought it had to be a mistake, since my lifestyle habits included a whole foods diet, regular exercise, and good sleep. I began doing finger sticks to randomly check my blood sugars. My morning fasting sugars were often running in the mid-120’s which put me in the prediabetes range.

That was alarming to me. What was also concerning was what I was learning about the connection between blood sugars and Alzheimer’s. I was very motivated to keep my brain healthy as I age, especially since my grandmother had severe Alzheimer’s.

I had heard about CGMs on various health podcasts and finally grabbed the opportunity to get a CGM when the Levels Health company offered “The Wearable Challenge” which enabled participants to pay money up front for a CGM and earn back money for every day that your blood sugar didn’t exceed 119 throughout the month-long challenge. I did some random finger pokes prior to committing to reassure me that I could stay below the 119 limit. I freaked out the first day the challenge officially began when my blood sugar was 124, with spikes of 151 and 177. I didn’t understand why, since I eat a whole foods diet- no processed/junk food. I began tracking my carbs on the Carb Manage app, and quickly and drastically reduced my carb intake. This immediately brought my glucose levels under control and I was able to earn all the money back. I have since used a CGM a few times a year just for a check in. Two years later, I am now again using a CGM. My fasting blood sugar is consistently below 90, and my average blood glucose is a much improved 93, with only occasional spikes.

Key Takeaway

Using a CGM changed my relationship with food. I realized that for me, even though I was eating whole foods, the level of carbohydrates that I was eating did not promote healthy blood sugar levels. That started me on a new path of exploring a sustainable way of eating at a carb level that would help me to feel and be my best.

Veteran Clients

Phrases I have heard from some of my VA Telephone Lifestyle Coaching program clients:

  • “Using a CGM has completely changed my life”; use of a CGM has enabled numerous Veterans to reverse their diabetes and get off of insulin entirely
  • One Veteran felt that the CGM was so life-saving that he said, “Sell your car and buy a CGM”
  • Another client stated that when his blood sugars spike into the 150-170 range, his wife says he becomes not pleasant to be around (i.e., “a real jerk”)

Tom’s Story

A client named Tom is wearing a CGM right now for the very first time (started 3/15/23). It has been eye-opening for him, to say the least. Based on his numbers, it’s possible he is headed towards diabetes (or is already there) despite his A1C and fasting blood sugar being normal last time he had an annual check-up.

Tom loves seeing scientific data; for him it’s the proof in the pudding, so to speak. He is experimenting with seeing how different foods affect his blood sugar. He was surprised by the large blood sugar spike after a work lunch of burger, fries, and lemonade. Next time out he ordered a salad and had a beer with it and got a similar glucose spike. Another seemingly healthy meal of broiled fish resulted in a spike due to the rice.

Before the month-long CGM-wearing experiment is over (one prescription of a CGM lasts one month), he plans to make a concerted effort to eat in a way that ideally keeps his baseline blood sugar lower, with minimal spikes, based on what he has learned so far. He is beginning to use some of the lower-carb recipes that HELPCare provides on their blog.

Next month Jane will conclude her series on CGMs discussing how to know if a CGM is right for you and how to get started.

Jane Connell, RD

Coach Jane is a licensed, registered dietitian living in Camas, WA. She has been doing remote health coaching for the past 14 years through Optum in Eden Prairie, MN. She has joined the HELPcare coaching staff and will be coaching members through the HELPcare Challenge program.
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