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I too am a type1. Somehow, I got through 44 years of life without it being detected but, it was about 12 years ago. Even though I'm under control I'm beginning to have major problems with my legs. This is kind of a strange question but my doctors don't want to give me an honest answer so maybe you can. What's the average life span of a male type 1? And does the problem with my legs portend the beginning of the end? If you know the answers, please just be straight with me.

Thanks!

Most think that for a well controlled type 1 that life expectancy at the time of diagnosis is 10 to 20 percent. For poorly controlled it can be 50% or more. These numbers do not include deaths from acidosis or hypoglcemica rather just from complication other than these. So if you were 44 at diagnosis and life expectancy was 38 then you loose 4-8 years well controlled and 19 years poorly controlled. (this is a bell curve and only applies to a single standard deviation).

Most problems in the legs are due to neuropathies. I would try the Benfotiamine. Escalate your dose upward but start at 600mg per day. Give it a couple of weeks before deciding if it helps. It has been used for years in Europe to treat alcoholic neuropathy and more recently diabetic neuropathy. It is a form of vitamin. For disclosure purposes, I have not financial interest in this recommendation.

I can tell you my dad's story and hope there's something in it for you. He was a 30 year Diabetic having gotten it about the same age as you. His kidney's began to fail. (Keep a good eye on your kidneys.) I'll get to the legs in a minute.
He went on dialysis, peritoneal so he could do it at home because he thought that would free him up. It didn't. But he wasn't exposed to the depression at the dialysis center. Then one day he found something stuck to his toe. It was dead skin- the onset of gangrene. What we learned may help.

Diabetic shoes are designed to keep pressure off important parts of the foot. He always wore good shoes, but I think he thought diabete shoes were a sales gimmick. A good podiatrist is important, one that will work as a team with a vascular specialist to keep the circulation going. I now think that leg and foot massage (professional or not, it wouldn't matter) would have been extremely beneficial to him. This podiatrist we found didn't even want Dad to cut his own toenails-one nick could have brought trouble. To improve circulation, Dad's leg arteries cleared of blockage, he was put on a blood thinner (Plavix), and work vascular surgeon worked vigilantly and vigorously with the podiatrist who manually and medically (can't remember the cream to help 'eat' the gangrene) removing the gangrene (nearly to the bone), then generating regrowth (Regranex) Dad's gangrene WAS cured. No amputation. It took 6 months, 'firing' doctors who wanted to use neosporin, gauze, and who would have ultimately and simply amputated.

Stay on top of it, and one 'step' ahead. Sitting for long periods isn't good, alternate. Walking and eliminating salt are great for circulation. Smoking ain't. Podiatrist saw his cigarettes and read Dad the riot act, told him if the vascular guy saw them, he would probably refuse to clear anymore arteries.

Good luck!