Starting Prep

[menaughty]

Hello y'all !

 

So I am finally starting prep once my lab work is done. I am excited for the journey. Before prep I always did safe sex. I still will use condoms though.

 

My questions are:

 

Q. How different is Descovy from Truvada?

 

Q. My one fantasy is the guy cumming in my mouth. How safe would you call this activity with prep?

 

[ I do want to clarify about the second question that I am Not seeking Yes or NO. Because sex can come with any diseases. Also if anyone else is reading this thread please take it as grain of salt. DON'T be like "oh a person on this thread said its safe so i am going to do it", we are all responsible for ourselves and i am just seeking opinions.]

 

***At the end of the day each individual is responsible for their own actions.***

 

 

Lol sorry for so many disclaimers. Y'all are family to me and this forum has helped me so much. ?

[Guy Fawkes]

A: According to the CDC, little to no risk (assuming no cuts/abrasions)

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

I've only used Truvada so I cannot compare it to Descovy, but I understand that Descovy may have fewer side effects.

 

Even prior to starting on PrEP, I was comfortable with a guy cumming in my mouth and since going on PrEP, I don't even think about it being a concern for HIV transmission. Last year, I had a couple of consecutive quarters two when all of my play has been limited to oral activities. My physician stated that while we'd still worry about other STDs, but your HIV screening should still be negative.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Q. How different is Descovy from Truvada?

 

A quick Google search reveals:

 

https://www.poz.com/article/difference-truvada-descovy-prep

[+ keroscenefire]

Truvada and Descovy are very similar drugs that have about the same efficacy at preventing HIV. Truvada is known to cause kidney damage and bone loss for a very small number of susceptible people. Descovy is less likely to cause such side effects, though it also has been reported to cause weight gain and increased blood lipids in a small number of patients and is not approved to prevent HIV from vaginal sex.

 

Since you are doing your labs, you'll notice that one lab they will do is to check your kidney and liver function. Your doctor will likely be able to tell by those labs if Prep is effecting your kidneys and can stop or change the medication if that is the case. However, if you have a history of kidney disease or kidney impairment, it's probably best that you do not start Truvada to begin with. Descovy would be the better choice for you. Hopefully, you are having these conversations with your doctor so he/she could prescribe the best drug for your circumstances.

 

Another difference between Truvada and Descovy is the price. There is now a generic version of Truvada that is about 15 percent cheaper than name-brand Truvada and Descovy (which are both pretty expensive drugs). Since Gilead has lost the exclusivity on Truvada, there will likely now be more cheaper generic versions of the drug soon.

 

Most people do not pay the expensive retail cost of Prep. Many insurance companies cover it, there are some local Prep access programs that lower the price and Gilead itself offers rebates (though in my opinion, they can be tricky to get). However, you may be someone who would have to pay the full cost of the drug, which means you'd be better off with generic Truvada than name-brand Truvada or Descovy (unless of course Descovy is better for your bones/kidneys).

 

Hope that helps. And as always have these conversations with you doctor as well.

[+ keroscenefire]

As for your second question: The risk of getting HIV from oral sex is really really low even without Prep. With prep it would be almost zero. Remember that HIV is not the only disease you can get from oral sex. Oral gonorrhea and chlamydia are both possibilities as are herpes and HPV infection. So have guys cum in your mouth all you want but realize that you can probably get sick from that even if you can't likely get HIV.

[liubit]

Having a guy cum in my mouth and sharing his load in deep kisses is one if my favorite things. I have been doing it for many years now, WITHOUT Prep, and I haven’t had any problem. ??‍♂️

[+ sniper]

As someone put it many years ago, if oral sex were significantly risky for HIV, we'd all be dead. If you've got raging gingivitis and your gums bleed from brushing your teeth, or have open sores, obviously it's a risk. But SO many people don't use condoms for oral that if it were a major vector the numbers would have been vastly higher.

[LivingnLA]

Generally speaking and assuming healthy tissues in the mouth and throat, the risk for HIV transmission is extremely low in oral sex without condoms. It is not zero, but it is very low. That is not true for many other STIs. Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepetitis, Herpes, HPV, and Syphilis are all readily transmitted via oral sex without condoms. Part of the reason we have record breaking numbers for these infections is probably all the oral sex without condoms and the people who think oral sex is safe. There's no such thing as safe sex. It is possible to make sex safer, but never 100% safe when one or more people are involved.

 

If you're going to engage in oral sex without a condom for cock sucking or a dental dam for eating ass or pussy, then educate yourself on the risks, learn what symptoms may feel and look like, understand that most infected men are asymptomatic, get tested regularly, and understand that some STIs are able to colonize the rectum or throat in such a way that they don't show on blood/urine tests. Only swab tests will catch them, so be honest with your doctor about the condomless sex you have so the correct tests can be performed and you can be treated. Also, talk to your doctor about your vaccinations. HPV is a must, (if you're under 45, to help protect against the record growth in oral cancers. Hepatitis A/B vaccines are strongly encouraged for MSM (Men who have Sex with Men). And depending on where you live or travel, the meningitis vaccine may be recommended. For example, LA has had an outbreak for about four years now and encourages every MSM be vaccinated. Finally, understand that antibiotic resistance is becoming urgently concerning for gonorrhea in the USA. I mention this because STIs are serious health issues. Don't trivialize them because they're treatable. The big three (gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis) are likely to become fully resistant to current treatments over the next few decades. Know the risks, make your choices, and be mature enough to be honest about them with your doctor and with your sexual partners.

 

The coronavirus impacted STD/STI testing and is expected to continue to impact it for the foreseeable future, since the USA was already seeing record highs for multiple STIs it's important to know we don't have good visibility into STI rates in the USA right now. Distancing has likely reduced sexual activity so perhaps it's a wash. Escorts and MSM are high risk categories so understand the risks you're taking. Get the relevant vaccines if you haven't already and be a responsible human being as you fulfill your sexual interests.

 

In the interests of full disclosure, I have all my shots and I'm tested regularly. I have one regular fuck buddy and an occasional professional who catches my eye. I like the taste of precum and cum. Over the past couple of decades, I've had oral chlamydia once. It was scary but fortunately I caught it early because I felt the sore throat and it was treatable. I am getting more careful about who I have sex with because LA county continues (6 years now) to set records for multiple STIs and syphilis among women is climbing rapidly, in part probably because of increasing MSM activity among sexually flexible men between 25 and 35, which means congenital syphilis is increasing too and no child should catch it.

 

General Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/default.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/std/healthcomm/stdfact-stdriskandoralsex.htm

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/oral-sex-std-risk-chart

[marylander1940]

Hello y'all !

 

So I am finally starting prep once my lab work is done. I am excited for the journey. Before prep I always did safe sex. I still will use condoms though.

 

My questions are:

 

Q. How different is Descovy from Truvada?

 

Q. My one fantasy is the guy cumming in my mouth. How safe would you call this activity with prep?

 

[ I do want to clarify about the second question that I am Not seeking Yes or NO. Because sex can come with any diseases. Also if anyone else is reading this thread please take it as grain of salt. DON'T be like "oh a person on this thread said its safe so i am going to do it", we are all responsible for ourselves and i am just seeking opinions.]

 

***At the end of the day each individual is responsible for their own actions.***

 

 

Lol sorry for so many disclaimers. Y'all are family to me and this forum has helped me so much. ?

 

Enjoy! I'm glad you also took HIV seriously till an alternative was available and proven to be effective.

 

In case you can't get it for free through Gilead:

 

www.alldaychemist.com

 

https://www.alldaychemist.com/tenvir-em-300-200mg-tablet.html

[Daverwr]

@menaughty I’m sure you’ll be Very happy with your decision. I’ve been on and off Truvada for a few years now. I stop (and save money) when I know I won’t be having sex for a while. Since most of my sex is hired, I know when I’m getting a hankering. My doctor says 3 days before sex is fine to start up the Truvada, but I prefer a few weeks. I actually bareback with it. I realize that’s no protection for STD’s. And, yes, I’ve been bitten once. But the risk is worth it to me. Just listen to your doctor and keep in contact with him/her.

Edited October 9, 2020 by Daverwr

[TruthBTold]

Enjoy! I'm glad you also took HIV seriously till an alternative was available and proven to be effective.

 

In case you can't get it for free through Gilead:

 

www.alldaychemist.com

 

https://www.alldaychemist.com/tenvir-em-300-200mg-tablet.html

 

I tried searching for Truvada and Descovy under alldaychemist.com but nothing came up. Do you know if it goes under a different name? There are several under "Men's Health" but they seem to deal with erectile dysfunction and I don't need that thank god.

It was very unfortunate because I did have a rebate card through Gilead. However I went on Medicare very recently and for some reason either Gilead or my supplemental insurance would not cover it. I don't know which one it was. And the price per pill was just prohibitive to keep taking it. However if I could get some at a lower price from somewhere I probably would follow Daverwr's regimen (right above) as I do not see that many people.

[Daverwr]

I tried searching for Truvada and Descovy under alldaychemist.com but nothing came up. Do you know if it goes under a different name? There are several under "Men's Health" but they seem to deal with erectile dysfunction and I don't need that thank god.

It was very unfortunate because I did have a rebate card through Gilead. However I went on Medicare very recently and for some reason either Gilead or my supplemental insurance would not cover it. I don't know which one it was. And the price per pill was just prohibitive to keep taking it. However if I could get some at a lower price from somewhere I probably would follow Daverwr's regimen (right above) as I do not see that many people.

Tenvofovir is the actual name of the drug. It is marketed under the name Truvada. I’m not sure how the naming works. But I know that’s the same thing. I would confirm with your doctor.

 

None of the drug companies provide their discount programs to patients on Medicare Part D. I’ve tried to join several of their programs and all say “No” to Part D. And Truvada is at the very top tier of the co-payments. For me on Medicare Part D, Truvada Co-pay is $400+ before I pass the catastrophic level (roughly $6000). Then it goes down to $95. It’s just the way Part D works. My plan is to get a 90 day supply in December. And have less sex! (Think about it - $400 for Truvada + $300 for a provider. That’s just too expensive to scratch an itch.)

Edited October 9, 2020 by Daverwr

[TruthBTold]

Tenvofovir is the actual name of the drug. It is marketed under the name Truvada. I’m not sure how the naming works. But I know that’s the same thing. I would confirm with your doctor.

 

None of the drug companies provide their discount programs to patients on Medicare Part D. And Truvada is at the very top tier of the payments. For me on Medicare Part D, Truvada Co-pay is $400+ before I pass the catastrophic level (roughly $6000). Then it goes down to $95. It’s just the way Part D works. My plan is to get a 90 day supply in December. And have less sex! (Think about it - $400 for Truvada + $300 for a provider. That’s just too expensive to scratch an itch.)

 

I am with you on that.

[MikeBiDude]

I tried searching for Truvada and Descovy under alldaychemist.com but nothing came up. Do you know if it goes under a different name? There are several under "Men's Health" but they seem to deal with erectile dysfunction and I don't need that thank god.

It was very unfortunate because I did have a rebate card through Gilead. However I went on Medicare very recently and for some reason either Gilead or my supplemental insurance would not cover it. I don't know which one it was. And the price per pill was just prohibitive to keep taking it. However if I could get some at a lower price from somewhere I probably would follow Daverwr's regimen (right above) as I do not see that many people.

https://www.alldaychemist.com/tenvir-em-300-200mg-tablet.html

[+ sniper]

Sometime next year the exclusivity period of the one generic form of Truvada will expire, and at that point the price should plummet.

[Daverwr]

Sometime next year the exclusivity period of the one generic form of Truvada will expire, and at that point the price should plummet.

I thought that was supposed to initially happen on September 30th.?.

[marylander1940]

I tried searching for Truvada and Descovy under alldaychemist.com but nothing came up. Do you know if it goes under a different name? There are several under "Men's Health" but they seem to deal with erectile dysfunction and I don't need that thank god.

It was very unfortunate because I did have a rebate card through Gilead. However I went on Medicare very recently and for some reason either Gilead or my supplemental insurance would not cover it. I don't know which one it was. And the price per pill was just prohibitive to keep taking it. However if I could get some at a lower price from somewhere I probably would follow Daverwr's regimen (right above) as I do not see that many people.

 

Tenvir EM

 

https://www.alldaychemist.com/tenvir-em-300-200mg-tablet.html

[+ sniper]

I thought that was supposed to initially happen on September 30th.?.

For the first 6 months or so only one company gets to manufacture a generic, so it's only going to lower the price about 15%. When there are multiple options, price should really drop.

[rvwnsd]

Hello y'all !

Hello!

 

...

So I am finally starting prep once my lab work is done. I am excited for the journey. Before prep I always did safe sex. I still will use condoms though.

Glad to hear you arrived at a place where you feel comfortable using PrEP! I started in April, 2016 and now wonder why I waited so long. The answer is simple: I wasn't ready. I had concerns about the side-effects (esp the bone changes, as I take powerful antibiotics at least twice a year to treat bronchitis and one of them can weaken tendons and bones) and had to get over the "just pop a pill" mindset."

 

When I started PrEP, Truvada was the only approved PrEP treatment. As soon as Descovy was approved I switched.

 

My questions are:

 

And my answers are:

 

Q. How different is Descovy from Truvada?...

Not being a pharmacist I can't speak to the pharmacological differences, but the one difference I noticed right off is Decovy is a much smaller tablet than Truvada. Thus, it is easier to swallow. Second, using Truvada I always had slightly elevated liver enzymes. That stopped once I switched.

 

Q. My one fantasy is the guy cumming in my mouth. How safe would you call this activity with prep?...

Here's how I look at the sex/HIV and other STIs equation: There is a risk associated with everything we do in life, including having sex with people other than ourselves. (Anyone who has ever scraped their dick from masturbating too hard and too long knows there is risk associated with that too, but I digress). Based on what I've read and heard swallowing cum is relatively low-risk. Therefore, I've swallowed cum for years and years and loved every minute of it. Given the protection PrEP provides against HIV infection, I think it takes a low-risk activity and lowers the already low risk level.

 

...[ I do want to clarify about the second question that I am Not seeking Yes or NO. Because sex can come with any diseases. Also if anyone else is reading this thread please take it as grain of salt. DON'T be like "oh a person on this thread said its safe so i am going to do it", we are all responsible for ourselves and i am just seeking opinions.]...

While I don't think the qualifier was necessary (I think it goes without saying) it is refreshing to hear someone articulate that sentiment out loud and NOT when they are speaking to someone who wants to rest of us to validate their decisions and/or opinions.

 

...***At the end of the day each individual is responsible for their own actions.***...

I've said that many, many times and stand by the statement. Just want to add, though, that each party in the activity have a responsibility to the other party. Thinking back to my statement about having bronchitis twice a year, the bronchitis isn't contagious but it typically follows a bout with a nasty cold with is contagious. When I'm feeling sick I don't have sex and limit my contact with others because I don't want to get anyone sick. While some wave a cold off as "it's just a cold" mine become bronchitis or pneumonia and require two courses of antibiotics/prednisone and several months to go away.

 

 

...Lol sorry for so many disclaimers. Y'all are family to me and this forum has helped me so much. ?

No worries. Glad to help.

Edited October 12, 2020 by rvwnsd