PrEP Survey/Question

[+ Snbrd]

A question, if I may, for fellow PrEP takers. Does it make better sense to continue or to take a break from Truvada if we're on a sex hiatus? It has been one week today since my last sexual encounter with another man. We're both fine. Part of me says, "Why bother taking it if inactive?" On the other hand, should I insure myself against a weakening of will power and succumbing to a hot RM ad?

What are other forum members doing?

[lonely_john]

A question, if I may, for fellow PrEP takers. Does it make better sense to continue or to take a break from Truvada if we're on a sex hiatus? It has been one week today since my last sexual encounter with another man. We're both fine. Part of me says, "Why bother taking it if inactive?" On the other hand, should I insure myself against a weakening of will power and succumbing to a hot RM ad?

What are other forum members doing?

Ask your doctor or go to a specialized HIV forum to find answers to these sensitive health-related questions.

[MikeBiDude]

I’m still taking my Truvada...although I’ve considered going off it for a bit in the upcoming weeks.

[marylander1940]

A question, if I may, for fellow PrEP takers. Does it make better sense to continue or to take a break from Truvada if we're on a sex hiatus? It has been one week today since my last sexual encounter with another man. We're both fine. Part of me says, "Why bother taking it if inactive?" On the other hand, should I insure myself against a weakening of will power and succumbing to a hot RM ad?

What are other forum members doing?

 

I’m still taking my Truvada...although I’ve considered going off it for a bit in the upcoming weeks.

 

Ask your doctor or go to a specialized HIV forum to find answers to these sensitive health-related questions.

 

 

Coronavirus Treatment: HIV Drug Used To Cure COVID-19 Positive British National In India

 

With so much information about this subject I can't find a more reliable source but there's been plenty of talk about PrEP and other HIV prevention and treatment drugs helping your body fight Covid-19.

 

Is it worth it not taking it because we're not active? Most folks get it for free anyways.

[down_to_business]

After doing my own research, I have temporarily discontinued taking PrEP. I didn't make this choice lightly, but as I am 100% abstaining from sex at this time (and I waited until more than 14 days after my last sexual activity to stop)-- I felt it was the right decision for me. I will resume taking my medication at least 1 full week before resumption of any sexual activity.

[+ José Soplanucas]

I asked my doc. She recommended me to stop only if my last sex encounter was at least four weeks ago, and then to restart at least one week before my glorious return to the game.

 

I have to wait one more week and then my dilemma will strike me. What do I want to do? Will we have one week of warning before lifting the physical distancing advise?

 

I think I want to be ready even if I wake up a morning with the good news. Besides, I am getting the medication for free and without side effects. I will probably keep taking it.

[lonely_john]

Coronavirus Treatment: HIV Drug Used To Cure COVID-19 Positive British National In India

 

With so much information about this subject I can't find a more reliable source but there's been plenty of talk about PrEP and other HIV prevention and treatment drugs helping your body fight Covid-19.

 

Is it worth it not taking it because we're not active? Most folks get it for free anyways.

Despite being free for some people it’s a daily punch to the liver and long term use derives in Osteopenia. Many people go with this unnoticed until they break something.

Edited March 28, 2020 by lonely_john

[+ José Soplanucas]

Despite being free for some people it’s a daily punch on the liver and long term use derives in Osteopenia. Many people go with this unnoticed until they break something.

I know. I have been 3+ year with all the checks and so far no side effects. I have not made a decision yet.

[marylander1940]

Despite being free for some people it’s a daily punch on the liver and long term use derives in Osteopenia. Many people go with this unnoticed until they break something.

 

Some unfortunately are willing to trade it for some extra pleasure. Life is all about choices.

 

So far I only know of one guy who had to stop taking PrEP because it was affecting his liver, and he's young and in shape.

Edited March 27, 2020 by marylander1940

[MikeBiDude]

Despite being free for some people it’s a daily punch on the liver and long term use derives in Osteopenia. Many people go with this unnoticed until they break something.

HIV status and STD’s aren’t the only thing your every 90 day bloodwork (and urinalysis) should be looking at. Mine testing is quite extensive, including liver/kidney functions. Not specifically checking for bone loss though ??‍♂️

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

I have debated stopping, but with a only $10 co-pay and solid test results - - I'm just not sure what to do.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

I'm not a doctor, but I'd recommend everyone looking into the new form of PrEP, Descovy.

 

All the protection, much less side-effect. https://www.descovy.com/prep/understanding-hiv-risk

 

And no, I wouldn't stop PrEP for any reason, whether I was sexually-active or not.

[rvwnsd]

I'm not a doctor, but I'd recommend everyone looking into the new form of PrEP, Descovy.

 

All the protection, much less side-effect. https://www.descovy.com/prep/understanding-hiv-risk

 

And no, I wouldn't stop PrEP for any reason, whether I was sexually-active or not.

My provider proactively asked if I was interested in switching to Descovy and I did. Been on it for several months.

 

I don't plan on taking a PrEP break. My current supply will last until late May, so I am cancelling my April 6 check-in and will reschedule for early May. Being asthmatic I'm in a high-risk group for COVID-19 and even if I wasn't there are other people who could use my provider's services right now.

[lonely_john]

HIV status and STD’s aren’t the only thing your every 90 day bloodwork (and urinalysis) should be looking at. Mine testing is quite extensive, including liver/kidney functions. Not specifically checking for bone loss though ??‍♂️

Anyone taking Prep should. There are undergoing legal processes in the US against the company that manufactures Truvada because this side effect is not disclosed anywhere, yet it happens frequently. There are cases of people in their 20s and 30s who developed Osteopenia, and it’s not specifically tied to the medicine / brand Truvada. This can happen with other forms of Prep because it’s basically a side effect of more than one type of HIV med ”ingredient”. Most HIV meds and Prep are typically a cocktail of 2 or more ingredients, so Truvada might not be the only case. Big Pharma has done a magnificent job making sure that this does not surface in the media.

[SirBillybob]

I have mainly ever been on an on-demand regimen of tenofovir-emtricitabine, with months at a time of abstinence, save for zero-risk play ... my boundaries are impeccable ... so business as usual.

 

Currently no access to STI testing, script renewals, or organ surveillance lab work in the programs I have used.

 

I expect my current 60 doses will expire (or I expire natural causes!) prior to re-uptake. Maybe crushed up and rubbed on hands will sub for sanitizer if run out (obviously not serious).

Edited March 28, 2020 by SirBIllybob

[+ José Soplanucas]

I have an alarm set up to remind me to take my Truvada. It just went off, and I made the decision. I will not stop. Although right now I am in week 3 of abstinence and very committed, I am a big slut. Time may weaken my will power.

[CuriousByNature]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know what the HIV transmission risk is for someone taking PrEP and also using condoms? I have seen figures for each separately, but not in combination. Thanks....

[SirBillybob]

There are written pieces on this. Statistical estimates do not assert risk is absolute zero because both mitigators rely on self-report and PrEP use may be related to riskier sex. I do not think there is research that compares 3 arms within the same study. It is reasonable to assume that PrEP confers additional benefit to consistent condom use and vice versa. Used in combo, particularly in the context of viral suppression of inserting partner, is likely extremely effective.

[+ FrankR]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know what the HIV transmission risk is for someone taking PrEP and also using condoms? I have seen figures for each separately, but not in combination. Thanks....

The CDC published a study in 2015, that is when I started taking Prep. It said that Prep is 99% effective - when you add the additional protection from condom use...well it is probably as close to 0% chance of transmission as you can get...

[+ robear]

I've been on Truvada since it was approved for PrEP. My PCP has discussed switching to Descovy, but here's the thing. Truvada goes generic in Sept of this year. I am almost certain my insurance will ONLY cover the generic when it's available, so I think Descovy would be at best a short-term switch, and have opted to stay with Truvada. Then again, it feels like I haven't had sex with another human since the Clinton Administration, so the whole thing is an academic exercise anyway.

 

BTW both Truvada and Descovy are marketed by Gilead Pharmaceuticals. The "superior" Descovy option was only brought to market when patent on Truvada was soon to expire. I'm not a fan of Big Pharma conspiracy theories, but the cynical way in which this prevention strategy has been manipulated for $$$ is really astounding.

[marylander1940]

The CDC published a study in 2015, that is when I started taking Prep. It said that Prep is 99% effective - when you add the additional protection from condom use...well it is probably as close to 0% chance of transmission as you can get...

 

Let's face it. Folks who take PrEP do it because they don't use condoms.

 

[Guest]

I'm currently taking Truvada and have for the past three years and have only had stomach upset from time to time. I have a couple of other health issues and have raised the question about it affecting the liver and was told by both my PCP and an internal medicine specialist that there isn't any evidence that it does. I asked about Descovy because I've heard it has fewer side affects and is less harsh on the body. The PCP brought up the fact that it's about to go generic and about the time Descovy came out you started seeing all the ads and articles about Truvada causing health issues, so he's skeptical of Big Pharma's motives and their hand in this. On the flip side my roommates PCP pointed out it may be better to go to Descovy once Truvada goes generic because it will no longer be covered by all the special programs/pricing Gilead provides. Right now I pay $0 for it because of these plans so it may cost me money to stay on it vs. going to Descovy which I thought was an interesting point.

[+ FrankR]

Let's face it. Folks who take PrEP do it because they don't use condoms.

 

I guess that makes me the outlier. Have always been comfortable using condoms. PreP does not protect against all STDs - even if you are on PreP it only makes sense to use condoms if you want to avoid those.

 

Let’s face it - condoms also makes cleanup afterwards whole lot easier! ?

[mike carey]

Let's face it. Folks who take PrEP do it because they don't use condoms.

Maybe in some case, but I suspect you have that the wrong way around. I suspect mostly people don't use condoms because they take PrEP.

[marylander1940]

I guess that makes me the outlier. Have always been comfortable using condoms. PreP does not protect against all STDs - even if you are on PreP it only makes sense to use condoms if you want to avoid those.

 

Let’s face it - condoms also makes cleanup afterwards whole lot easier! ?

 

Me too... I wasn't very active when HIV started in the 80's and from that time till PrEP was created it was an act of irresponsible madness having sex without a a condom. After 6 months on PrEP I finally got the courage to BB.

 

Hopefully you won't be condom-shamed in this thread by the PrEP team or call anti-science bigot. Cutler X was offered $100 extra by a forum member to wear a condom while topping him, and he simply replied: "I'm not doing such a thing!". I remember a time when escort occasionally would be offered extra to BB, the smart ones "just said NO!"