wood

Yeah I hope there is an alternative in the next few years. I know injections every 10 weeks are being investigated now, and that would be pretty awesome, especially if it could eventually be done in a pharmacy like a flu shot. I agree on the timing. I used to be a nazi about trying to take it at exactly the same time everyday, and then I realized I was going a bit overboard. I normally take mine around 2 after a late lunch, but if it happens to be 11am or 6pm every so often I cant freak out about that.

no one can make this decision for you. HIV is always a risk even with PrEP, or condom usage. It says you are in Shrewsbury, your options for PrEP are much diffrent if thats in the US or the UK. You may also want to consider a a regular FB you get tested with.

I hate to say it, but I think for some of the guys who became poz in the past few years this is a huge factor. They regret making the decisions they did that lead to their infection, and think "I really should have make some different choices" Even if PrEP wasnt available when they became infected, IMO some poz guys almost view it as unfair that PrEP is now an option. IMO thats one of the unsaid reasons the AIDS healthcare foundation is against PrEP. There is a tinge of jealous and hate that PrEP actually works, and now guys may be able to do some of the things they were not able to do, less they become infected.

HAHAHA, yup. I had a serious talk with a very close friend of mine about a month ago. He has always played it that he is 100% safe. This time however he relented a bit and said, yeah I try to be safe...I informed him there is a big difference between trying it, and actually practicing it, and thats one of the main reasons I choose PrEP. Many if not the majority of men will play raw if given the chance, they just don't want to admit it.

This is pretty spot on. However I must say I have also got some "blowback" from a few poz guys I tried to mess with. I know its for other reasons, but they said no way dude, I only mess with other poz guys, and I dont care what they say about PrEP, you will become POZ if you mess with POZ guys. But yeah I am very open with friends about me being on PrEP too, and many have some wild preconceived notions about what it is, what it does, and how effective it is. Suffice to say there are plenty of uneducated people everywhere, and the sad part is they are the ones spreading HIV. Look at HIV infections rates in the united states south. They are highest among poor people with little education. Education really is a key step to eradicating HIV

Does HIV2 require any different treatment from HIV1? Anyway this post was correct, in theory the stars can align and you can get infected, PrEP is NOT 100% effective, If you want 100% effective you should not be having sex, or be in a completely monogamous relationship, and those hardly exist. The biggest cause of PrEP failure is, and I bet will continue to be compliance with the medication. you want it to work, DONT EVER MISS A DAY. For me, I want PrEP to work so in the 8 months or so I have missed exactly twice, and that was in the first month before I got used to it. I have never missed since then.

He's on atripla and has been since the beginning IIRC if it makes any difference

Haha, Nah, I already knew that, Im not worried. I only realized that is how the post came across after I couldnt edit. It was more of curiosity thing. He seemed a bit subconsciously worried about it, but i told him for some people it could be normal.

So I met a guy the other day and we hooked up. Great guy, and fun to talk too. So he knew I was neg, and I knew he was HIV+ undetectable. He has been HIV+ for about 6 years, and went on treatment within a year of and a half of initial infection. What was interesting is that he said that he has a consistently low CD4 count, despite being undetectable for years. He said his was always in the range of 250-400, but he rarely gets sick, and never misses his medication. I know this isnt a medical forum, but anyone with insight into what could cause this? I know CD4 counts will always vary from person to person, and that 500-1000 is considered normal. Would this be a situation where HIV is still the root cause of a low CD4 count or is it just natural for him to be lower.

good. All that happens when HIV+ people stay off treatment is that they have a much greater chance of infecting others.

Its tough to say. Hep C isnt considered a sexually transmitted disease, but it can be transmitted through some sexual contact. You pretty much need blood contact for Hep C transmission, so if there is that, there is a greater chance. HIV+ people have been found to be at greater risk, but everything I have read isnt sure if it is because of riskier sexual practices, or lower immune function. If I were you I would use plenty of lube when fucking, and start slower, as to try and not tear the bottom. Also stay away from anyone who uses drugs, especially meth, or any injection drugs. They are at high risk for Hep C. There is no easy way to say what your chances are, but overall I would say they are relatively low.

I know this is going to be hard for you to realize at this point, but HIV really isnt going to get in the way of anything. I know LOTS of HIV+ people in all walks of life. Some are very successful politicians, some doctors, some lawyers, some musicians, some actors, and honestly you probably know some of them. Also think of HIV as a catalyst of change. With treatment, you are not going to get any more sick than you have before, its that simple. However, you can boost your immune system any number of ways, from healthy eating, quitting smoking, to exercise. However, don't stop enjoying life!! Think about all that is still out there, what you havent done yet, and what you still can do, because HIV hasn't changed any of that. There really is next to nothing an HIV+ person cant do today, the treatment just works that well. PM me if you have any other concerns or jsut want to talk.

We can help guide you, but you really need to seek professional help. You can easily live with HIV, and have a wonderful, and fulfilling life. This winter has been shit for a lot of people, and that is also affecting a lot of individuals. Things will continue to get better, REALLY they will. My ex who is HIV+ said that he attemped suicide before after he found out was was poz, but things got better. Its one day at a time, but dont take drastic steps. What seems like insurmountable obstacles today in hindsight are often just small bumps. But, get help, and go talk to someone. I honestly think almost everyone should have some kind of therapist. It works wonder for mental health.

See my post above. It is a bit safer, but how much so is hard to say. Also many people do not precum.

It technically is a bit safer. There was actually a campaign in the UK a few years ago that essentially said "if you are going to bareback, at least pull out" The reason for this is simple, yes bareback sex inherently has risk, but risk is also tied to the amount of ejaculate/precum, and viral load. So if there is a no precum and a high viral load in theory the risk is still lower than full ejaculation inside. Also ejaculation inside puts semen deeper in the anal cavity, where it can stay for a longer period of time. With that said, few health professional will every say anything like this because it comes off as endorsing a form of bareback sex. Obviously just like pulling out to prevent pregnancy it is not foolproof, but it can help. IIRC the campaign in the UK didn't last long, and it is something you would never see in the US.

Good to hear!

The ryan white program is federal, and most states get their fund from there. http://hab.hrsa.gov/abouthab/aboutprogram.html People making under 50k in the US rarely have much to pay for medication because federal programs or drug assistance programs pick up the tab. He was likely apathetic to the situation, didn't get tested and didn't seek treatment. Its * KILLS * me when he says in the video "I never thought this would happen to me" Really!?!?! From his most recent blog post then Sorry. Again I dont feel bad. I even doubt that his porn had anything to do with his status, but when you sign a VALID contract, just cause you dont like it later, dont blame the person who offered it to you.

I saw it the other day too, and yes it was a bit creepy. I would chock that up to either, a) opportunistic infections of the brain, and judging my his breathing Pneumocystis pneumonia, which is common even amount healthy HIV+ people. Or the medication he is on. Or c) acting. The long and short is I dont feel bad for him. You dont progress to AIDS overnight. This kid has probably been HIV+ and highly viral for years now while exposing other people. While I don't know for this for certain, statistics show that it takes time for a person to progress to AIDS, not just a recent dumb encounter. Now he makes a video preaching education, and safety? Okay... I guess if it hits home for some people thats good but I still dont feel bad for him. He should have been getting regular HIV/STD tests to look after his health. That would have caught any infection early, and he could have started treatment. Honestly he kind of pisses me off.. Obviously I dont know his life, but I do know you dont progress to AIDS from initial HIV overnight, and unless he was not sexually active in the past 5 years after he stopped doing porn, whats his excuse for not getting tested earlier??? ding ding. When 50% of gay men have condomless sex anyway, the tale of this kids former porn career only serves to sensationalize the story. In reality it has little relevance on the situation. Also most porn companies in the US will try and comply with regulations because one story about an HIV infection can shut them down, and or get sued. I am not saying they all do, but flavaworks is fairly large, so i would imagine they serosort and test. Back the the kid, yeah people may think I am really insensitive, but I dont feel bad. I would feel bad about an initial unexpected HIV infection, but I dont feel bad not about someone actively choosing to not get tested and ignore their sexual health. I had a friend die last summer at 28 from a "brain tumor" In reality, his brain tumor, and all kinds of other infections were allowed to spread because he was HIV+, never got tested, and never got treatment. I didnt feel bad for him either, despite being a friend. He choose a path that lead to his death. Im glad the kid in this video is wising up, but he should have done it years ago. Sorry, end rant.

dont know how long you have worked for your job, or if its an option, but that sounds like a great time to get FMLA, or a workplace accommodation for a different schedule

Doesnt surprise me. Sexually I prefer black men, and I have a lot of black friends. With that said, almost all agree there is this idea that all black men are tops, and its just not true. Im sure if you broke the numbers down, the amount of tops/bottoms/vers guys would be very similar across all races. However there is this silly stereotypical idea of the always dominate black man that many people cant seem to get over. Whenever I have met a black man I am attracted to, I tell him I am vers, and love to top and bottom. Almost always they are excited that I dont just want to lay there and get fucked by their "bbc"... Which brings me to something else, and please no offense to the OP, but all black men do not have big dicks. IMO, alot of people just really dont want to let go of these tired old jungle fever stereotypes, and IMO, its fairly offensive. Thats just a silly stereotype.

I wouldnt say it is way off topic at all. In fact its a discussion exactly relating to the topic, and you are correct, I shouldn't be using scare tactics to make people think a dose is going to kill them. Heres the wikipedia chart on harmful effects of illegal drugs. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rational_scale_to_assess_the_harm_of_drugs_(mean_physical_harm_and_mean_dependence).svg However, the main crux of your previous statement was moderation, and that is where many gay men fail in their consumption of substances, be it alcohol, or illegal drugs. Moderation of most things wont be very detrimental to the individuals health, but when it causes other risky behavior, and or more consumption, it quickly becomes an issue.

This will do it. In general for a top to convert there are some risk variables that will greatly increase their risk being uncut having an untreated STD fucking without adequate lube fucking on drugs having a well oversized member. It can happen and is most likely to occur in situations where the bottom doesnt know he is poz and has a very high viral load.

And this is where I disagree, because from any sane medical perspective, having a person take a neurotoxin to simply enhance sex is fairly insane, and it sounds like rationalization for addiction.

take your time use lots of lube get in a position comfortable for you relax and dont tense up! Tensing up is what will cause a majority of the pain. You need to be relaxed. you ass will stretch and it wont feel that bad unless you tense up, then it will hurt.

i'm guessing taking or giving nut.. anyway I wouldnt worry too much if he was on meds. The risk is fairly low. However if you get sick in a few weeks I would avoid all sex with your BF until you get multiple tests, including a viral load test, which would detect a new infection sooner.