How Many Of You Are On PrEP?

I've been on PrEP since January 2016. I've had zero side effects, am tested every three months, and have had no complications. I'm in Canada, so it was easy (and very inexpensive) to get. After my regular three-month check ups, where I am put through a series of blood, urine and other tests, my doctor writes me a 3-month prescription.

If there is one drawback is that I am less sexually active than before going on PrEP. It's weird and may be a mind-thing, but I find I'm less interested in random hookups these days. It could also be because I'm older (52) and am looking for more than a one-night stand (close to impossible but still...).

Is there a thing called-PrEP-face? A friend started it a few months ago and now looks . . . . drawn and older. He's in his fifties.

i died.

As soon as it was approved for us at Shady Pines, we all started, OP. And you?

I'm in California. You can do the 3-month tests at home and teleconference with a doctor. Makes it easier than going to a doctor's office for blood and urine tests four times a year.

Does Medicare cover it?

You can pick up 1 month of generic PrEP in Bangkok for 20 USD on your next sex holiday. Stock up. Live live live!

42, been on it for about a year and a half. No problems with it. I took the plunge because of a broken condom,

I still haven't made the jump to without the condoms, but my anxiety is a lot lower these days.

I've asked black African whores to CUM IN MY ASS. Insanity. Are you scandalised for me?

I'm surprised you old fucks are still sexually active. Good on you.

Medicare does pay for it and anyone in the US can get it via app.

I tried it at 48 for a year. But decided I wasn’t having enough sex to be on it every day. It also opened up the window in my kind - I want to bareback. Too old to be taking the risk after 30+ years of being diligent. If I was 20, I would.

But there is a real psychological disincentive to safer sex while on it was my lesson, There needs to be some studies done on how to maintain safe aes motivations - AND be on PREP.

^ Safe sex motivation

R12 that battle has been lost. Until untreatable STDs really make the rounds.

People have been talking about how we're all about to die from untreatable STDs since PrEP was approved 8 years ago. We're all still here.

I agree R15. But super clap is still on the cusp. I hope they find the new and CHEAP antibiotics soon. It wasn't easy to get rid of it for the slutty heteros in England.

I do “weekend” Prep. Take two pills before sex and one pill 24 hours later and another 24 hours after that—2:1:1.

I’m 46 and no longer have sex daily

R11, you mean Medicaid. Medicare is for those over 65

R5, how do you take your blood and urine tests at home??

[quote][R5], how do you take your blood and urine tests at home??

You get a scrip from the app-based doctor and go to a LabCorp or Quest near you. Then you make your followup once the results are back.

After my insurance changed, I switched to getting it from PlushCare. It's pretty easy, and they actually ended up saving me money by giving me the savings card from Gilead.

R2 did he get grey hair? Wrinkles? Hair loss?

R2 that's the late night whoring and hoovering of poppers and splooge. One doesn't wake up fresh after age 29. Do you healthy think its Crix Belly and Lipo?

[quote]how do you take your blood and urine tests at home??

They send three test tubes (urine, throat swab, anal swab) with all the equipment necessary to self-examine, along with two "blood cards." You use a lancet (also included) and drip blood on the cards - it looks something like the picture.

When it's all complete it goes in a prepaid Priority Mail box and you get your test results back via email in days. If there's anything out of the ordinary they'll email that as well, and you can call a doctor any time.

I have a solution!

Any local health unit or LGB center will provide it for free.

Can religious whackos refuse to fill the rx?

Truvada is toxic chemotherapy for cum dumpsters. How very dare you!

Does medicaid cover it? I'm destitute but have urges....89 year old hungarian lesbian here.

[quote]After my insurance changed, I switched to getting it from PlushCare. It's pretty easy, and they actually ended up saving me money by giving me the savings card from Gilead.

What if you need surgery? You can't get that through an app.

I do Descovy 2-1-1 dosing.

I'm 39 in San Francisco and I get it for free from the SF Aids Foundation clinic in the Castro. My insurance covers it w/ a co-pay up to $50 and then the clinic provides a card from Gilliad, the manufacturer, which makes it free. I've been on it about 18 months. I was more of a bottom pre-prep, but now I like topping bareback on it. I haven't really bottomed on it b/c prep has made me discover how good topping/breeding feels raw. I'm cut, get tested every 3 months for STD's and every 6 months for kidney function./STD's. The testing is free as well. I am really good about taking it daily and have not yet ever had an STD since I've been sexually active at 16, but I am realistic that it could happen anytime, especially chlamydia, which can be transmitted just by finger play. I don't quite trust Prep 100% it for bottoming cum dump style although that has never been my thing. I've been fucked, bread once by a fuck buddy I've known for a while while on it. To be honest, I am over apps and am looking to seriously date in real life. I think I am planning on stopping Prep this month and going the 2-1-1 route if I am topping or use condoms/get back on Prep if I start bottoming more. For me, it does make me nauseous. I used to be a hard core, quad shot latte type of guy and now I drink a ton of tea throughout the day instead. It also makes me a bit tired, so I take it at night before bed. I don't love casual sex, am more of a relationship person, and don't think I am having sex enough to justify taking such a powerful drug. However, I am a huge advocate of Prep. If you are fucking constantly, you love anon sex, or are having with high risk groups, I think Prep is for you. It's safer than condoms in terms of effectiveness and it forces you to really get on top of sexual health, which I strongly believe in.

The 2-1-1 thing is interesting. Glad to hear it discussed. That to me seems much more pragmatic. And less toxic.

[quote]What if you need surgery? You can't get that through an app.

I still have a primary doctor. I just don't get my PrEP there. I had a youngish, gay-friendly doctor who was easy to talk to about this stuff. My current one is...less so...

R32, I'm all for the 2-1-1, but it has not yet been approved by the FDA. It does have a proven track record in Europe, but those who opt for it really need to make sure that they have the facts and are taking it properly. It's a great option for those who are having sex a few times a month. Anymore than that and you are ultimately taking the same amount of pills as daily use. Each sexual encounter = 4 pills.

This is amazing news for those of us who remember the early days.

[quote]New rates of HIV infections have dropped dramatically in the United Kingdom, which researchers are attributing to the rise in the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, which is nearly 100% effective in preventing transmission of the virus.

[quote]New figures released by Public Health England, and reported by the BBC, show gay and bisexual men experiencing the biggest decrease in new infections, with rates plummeting by 71%. That demographic has seen a drop in new HIV transmissions from 2,800 in 2012 to 800 in 2018.

PreP works. The science is undeniable.

You still have a 10% of contracting HIV. It’s not meant for people to have multiple partners and act reckless. That’s why people on it are getting HIV. There’s still risk. You should still be using condoms and be monogamous. It’s simply an extra barrier.

I think you are incorrect, R37. That is exactly the demo who it is meant for. If anything, it's more meant for multiple partners and frequent encounter with different people. Those who aren't having much sex or are in a trusting relationship with open communication probably don't need to expose themselves to the potential side effects of the medication . Either way, science is science and I agree w/R35. Whatever one thinks, It's a wonderful option for anyone who wants to use it, however they want to use it. I'd like to see evidence on a 10% infection rate. Prep failure is minuscule if taken as directed. It usually is revealed that the person who contracted HIV was not taking the meds properly after the fact.

R37 pulled all that out of his tightly clenched ass.

[R37] pulled all that out of his tightly clenched unfuckable jealous hysteria laden ass that hasn’t touched since the Clinton administration.

For those who do 2-1-1, make sure you take a pill 24 hours after your last sexual encounter. So it can be 2-1-1-1-1-1-1. Etc, depending upon how much sex you’re having.

R38, you’re wrong. It is NOT for whoring around. It’s for at risk people - simply put, for anyone taking it up the ass.

The challenge is it’s supposed to be for “at risk” with condoms. But psychologically once you are on it, condors seem unnecessary.

R42, wouldn't at risk people include those "whoring around" & "people who take it up the ass"? I really don't get the anti-preppers, so it's a moot point.

I am not and never have been. Used condoms with my ex. My ass has since revirginized.

Once all these whores get HIV, they’ll blame PrEP instead of not reading the fine print. It’s not for sleeping with multiple partners. You can still contract HIV. It’s a small percentage, but it can still happen.

[quote]It’s not for sleeping with multiple partners.

It's literally to cut the chances for people who are at higher risk of converting than others. Including those who have multiple partners.

True story: I met a guy recently. He's sweet, he's hot, and he's poz. I know intellectually that since I'm topping, using condoms, and he's undetectable, the odds of anything happening are effectively nil, but all the scary stuff from my youth doesn't go away completely. The PrEP means I'm going to be able to relax.

R47, why are you believing him? Whores lie and gays don’t take their meds daily.

[Quote] [R47], why are you believing him? Whores lie and gays don’t take their meds daily.

That’s exactly why he’s on PrEP. It doesn’t matter if the other guys lie or not; you’re taking care of your own health

[Quote] I met a guy recently. He's sweet, he's hot, and he's poz.

Why don’t you date him?

[Quote] Once all these whores get HIV, they’ll blame PrEP instead of not reading the fine print.

..except that new HIV infections are at all time low because of PrEP

Do women on here take it? Or does anyone know of women on it? Surely someone knows a woman who’s in a situation with a POZ person.

That's a situation more common in Africa. In fact, that's where the benchmark study on straight people, PartnersPrEP was done.

IPrEx, the study on gay men, was done primarily in the US and South America.

R52, NYC has done an ad campaign to get women to use PrEP.

Minority women have one of the fastest growing rates of new infections. At this point, very few women use PrEP—I believe only about 1% of PrEP users.

If a women goes to a doctor’s office with an STI multiple times, it’s time to consider PrEP

R54, while I understand your thought process regarding PrEP for a woman who has contracted multiple STIs, PrEP is only effective in prevention of one STI.

And yes, minority women have one of the highest growing numbers in infection rates. This is particularly true in the South, which is why I asked.

Tons of downlow bisexual or gay men out here. I’ve never seen anything like it, which is why I’m not exactly chomping at the bit to get intimate with someone new. I’d say that at least 10% of the men I’ve met here, under 40, are closeted bisexuals. Some have flat out told me so, once they realized nothing sexual was ever gonna happen, but friendship was on the table.

It’s REALLY important to remain closeted out here. Sad, but true.

All of this talk has convinced me that I am better off daydreaming about sex rather than actually participating.

An extraordinary loss for us r56

[quote]If a women goes to a doctor’s office with an STI multiple times, it’s time to consider PrEP

My doctor prescribed an Airwick.

Love u, R58!

LMAO!

[Quote] PrEP is only effective in prevention of one STI.

Yes and that STI is the one that can kill you or, at least, keep you on expensive drugs for the rest of your life.

The fact that these women have lots of STIs shows they’re not using condoms. Plus, with PrEP, one can take control of his/her own safety when it comes to sex and not rely on your partner to use condoms

R60, no disagreements from moi.

I am no longer into non-monogamous relationships. If I were, I’d insist on condoms.

In a monogamous relationship, condoms aren’t necessary, because the pill takes care of preventing pregnancy. However, if I were in a monogamous relationship with someone who were HIV poz, then sure, PrEP would be something to discuss with one’s partner and doctors.

The issue with PrEP, is the cost, depending on insurance coverage, and the state one lives in. Not every sexually active 20-30 can easily afford it. So while I agree that proactive prevention trumps taking chances, money, or lack thereof, trumps access to meds like PrEP.

Unfortunately, the women who need PrEP the most (sex workers), are usually the ones who are the least likely to have it prescribed to them.

[quote] Not every sexually active 20-30 can easily afford it. So while I agree that proactive prevention trumps taking chances, money, or lack thereof, trumps access to meds like PrEP.

You are correct but private insurance and Medicaid must cover PrEP now that it's been recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force.

Also, those who are uninsured or can't afford it can get PrEP for free via the Government's new Ready, Set, PrEP program.

[quote] I am no longer into non-monogamous relationships. If I were, I’d insist on condoms.

As a bottom, I certainly support tops who use condoms (It doesn't feel any different for me), but the vast majority of tops in my area wn't use them anymore.

Also, with the possibility of stealthing (which I once caught a guy trying to do), it's better for me to have control of my health instead of ceding it to the top.

NYC and SF have done an awesome job with PREP. Pretty much anyone can get it. One of those things liberal governments do well. Infections rates have dropped dramatically. I would be more concerned in Mississippi than in NYC.

Sadly, it's in the south that people are still dying of AIDS because of their shitty governments

Perfect example of how socialism and high taxes benefit society. We are all safer because of PREP in NYC and CA. In Mississippi everyone is at risk. But at least they can save their rich people from paying taxes.

I don’t have enough sex to do PrEP daily but I do 2-1-1 prep. I do get nauseous some times and have learned to take the pills on a full stomach to prevent it.

Nice to take raw cock after years of being afraid to. An HIV+ but undetectable FB recently came in my ass twice and then pissed in me

[quote] How many of you are on PrEP?

72 of us

R62, thanks for sharing that info with us! I learned something new.

And yes, the South is a fucking disaster when it comes to easy access to measures which focus on the prevention of HIV and /or myriad STI contagion and proliferation.

Dark ages, pretty much.

R68 for the win in response to R67 (no shame, R67). That made me so laugh so hard - I wasn't expecting that.

I've been on it for a week now.

Not ready to go out and fuck indiscriminately (not looking to be Dawson's 49th load on a 50-Load Weekend), but I do feel it offers some protection should the opportunity arise. I'm top, early 50s, don't like Cialis but have trouble staying hard with condoms.

It's either get blown the rest of my life or take this opportunity.

I'm still wary of STDs but, frankly, haven't topped without a condom for more than 30 years. I would like that sensation again before I'm drooling over my oatmeal in Shady Pines.

I grew up in the time when educators were emphasizing "safer sex" and this feels like safer sex to me. And the mandatory regular testing for the clap also is reassuring. I just wish this pill was available back in the day; so many wasted lives.

One of the PreP drugs accelerates osterporous in persons with HIV. My doctor told me there is no data yet on this with regard to healthy individuals, but if there's an history of thin bones in your family you may wish to be cautious. My gut guess is that there would be no difference.

I've been on it for 3 years. I don't have sex but I like the added reassurance when I fantasize about having sex. I am a top who always played safe, all the years the sluts were doing what they were told not to do and dying on the tax payer's dime. God they really ruined all the fun for those of us know knew better, right?

The first thing I ask about when chatting with a guy is his HIV status. I have always politely but quickly ghosted all POZ guys. If they are negative I know some are lying and looking to spread AIDS.

Now I have a couple of home HIV test kits that I pick up in Europe when I visit for summer opera festivals.

I also have an app on my phone to tell if a person is lying. I'm not weird or anything and stopped asking for papers because they can be faked.

A couple months ago I had a young man over for drinks. I'm 56 look 40 and he was 25 and said he liked big brother types. He said he was negative and on PrEP so I gave him the HIV Test and it was negative. I had convinced him that it was a good idea that I wear a condom and after an hour of negotiating he agreed the sex didn't have to bareback, which he wanted. Fortunately I have never had a condom break, I buy the right, small size, of the very best condom. But finally I dunno, we were about to do it but I got a vibe from him that he was a dirty cum dump and not reliable about taking his PrEP. So I asked him to leave.

I'm not into anal except when the guy I'm with really wants me to fuck them but when I tell them I'll only do it with a condom some of them react as if you've besmirched their honor by insisting on condoms, avoid those guys.

R73- truvada was shown to decrease bone mineral density. The new drug, Descovy, doesn’t do that. Patients who switched form Truvada to descovy regained the bone strength.

Ta for the info R76.

Please tell me R74 isn't a spoof post of anal retentivism. That condom isn't the only thing that's small. Everything is small.

I just checked. Descoy isn't approved for PreP.

Ahem.

Descovy is approved. It causes fewer side effects thank Truvada. Gilead has been criticized for holding on to descovy until the Truvada patent is about to expire.

The Depts of health, however, still say Truvada works just fine and soon there will be cheaper generics.

I love him

They’re so tasty, too!

When/If PrEP fails it will be because of guys like this and his buddies.

There’s a brand new drug do Prep, sex negative unfuckable twat at r83

That cum pig is a hero

Have fun being at ground zero for the next big one R84.

A Cum Pig is, by definition, a Nasty Pig.

But is a Nasty Pig necessarily a Cum Pig?

It might be wise to start stockpiling your antiretrovirals. If you're not already on Truvada or Descovy for PrEP, get a prescription and save your pills. They might help with 2019-nCoV (coronavirus), especially if Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturers stop producing for a while. Giliead produces in the US, Canada, and Ireland (though that doesn't mean the flow of raw materials coming from China won't be interrupted).

Descovy causes weight gain.

"Take NuPrEP—save your bones and kidneys but make yourself unfuckable" ... I don't see this being a winning sales pitch.

My version of prep is jacking off to pornhub and Chaturbate. No risk, all the reward Marie's!

[quote]Descovy causes weight gain.

Link, please. I can't afford any extra elbees.

The link is at R88.

Sorry, R91. I'm high. Duh.

From the link at R88:

[quote]gained an average of 1 kg (2.2 lbs) over the course of 48 weeks

2.2 lbs in just under a year? That's not so bad.

I have a script that I fill every month but don't take. I did take it in the beginning and it caused side/flank pain (possibly kidney related, my doc said).