curiousaboutbb

Ok so I started this thread back in April trying to find someone to prescribe PREP in Memphis. I wanted too update you on my lack of progress and get some feed back on my experience. I talked with a friend who suggested a doctor who is gay. I contacted his office and he was out on medical leave until September, so I continued my search. Talked to the local aids organization and they directed me to a planned parenthood type clinic. I contacted them in June and asked if they provided it. A lady said she would check and call me back. She called back and said yes they did provide it. I asked for the first available appointment and it was for a month away on July 22. I went in today and I must say I was a little disappointed. The nurse practitioner came in and asked the reason for my visit. I told her I wanted to talk about PREP. She said sure. She continued to explain that PREP was mainly for use in sero-discordant relationships or situations where there was repeated exposure to HIV. She then asked me several questions about sexual practices. Two of the questions were number of partners more than 1 and unprotected sex in the last 6 months. Both of which I answered yes. She said based on my answers I did not meet the clinical criteria for being on PREP. She went on to discourage it because of on going side effects such as stomach and intestinal issues. It was clear she was against it. She said she would prescribe it once testing was done but that insurance would likely not cover it since I didn't meet the clinical criteria. I asked her why was the clinical criteria different from CDC recommendations. She said that was the CDC guidelines for prescribing. I told her those have been updated to include MSM. She said she would review it and get back to me. She suggested we move ahead with testing and meet back once results were in. I then asked what type of test she would be using to test for HIV she said a rapid test. I questioned her further about I thought an RNA test was required since I have been active in the last month. She said no reason to use it. She ordered the baseline test for blood panel,kidneys etc and a full STI panel to include a blood HIV test, but not RNA test. I consented to the testing, but left the clinic feeling I was better educated than the practitioner. The nurse practitioner called me about 45 minutes later and said she had reviewed the updated guidelines and I would qualify. She also said the test she had ordered would be sufficient for testing before starting prep. I am concerned as to the adequacy of care. Although i had negative rapid test last month and I have no reason to believe I have been exposed to HIV is she doing the appropriate test? I don't have a lot of options here, what should I do?

Unless you know for sure, you should assume his status is unknown. Having BB sex with him puts you in the highest risk. You have to decide if this level of risk is acceptable to you. I struggle with this too. Taking a sex break and going on Prep. Best of luck!

I actually found a page that tells how many scripts were written under Medicare part d by doctors in TN. One in particular is a professor at UT Medical School. He has written well over 300. He is an ID so he might not be prescribing for prep but atleast he knows the drug. Here is the link http://projects.propublica.org/checkup/drugs/6450/states/tennessee?by=desc&sort=city

Done all of the above. The ID offices seem to only want to treat the disease. One of them even said as much. The link provided doesn't seem to pull any Memphis listings. Trying to locate someone through friends. It's crazy it's this hard to locate a provider.

I am interested in going on prep, but having issues finding a doctor willing to prescribe prep. Does anyone know of a good gay friendly doctor in the Memphis area who would be familiar with prep?

These are studies. How do you know you aren't getting a placebo?

Did you ever get tested to know for sure?

I read that pot before. I am going for a full sti screening later this week, because you said that.

I understand. I have been scared for 29 years. Had it not been for reading the stories and being turned on by the fact i could be poz, it might have been the same for me. I am not sure how it will change any other behavior but I will test regularly now

I am 47 years old. I have lived in fear of getting tested all my life. i have spent many a night in panic and worry over the thought i could be poz. I have been a lurker on the board for some time. I wanted to share my story about not wanting to get tested. My life has been pretty tame. In the 90s until early 2000 I spent a lot of time cruising the ABS sucked a lot of dick always to completion. I only remember getting fucked there once and the guy used a condom. Other than that up until I found the old bugshare site and this site my bb anal sex had only been with partners. Since finding these sites I have like many people thought the idea of intentionally exposing oneself to HIV crazy. Nevertheless I was turned on by the stories and have shot many of loads to them. I have taken more risk having bb anal hook ups and letting people with whose status i did not know breed me. I have even paid a rent boy who said he was neg to breed me. I never had sex with anyone who said they were pos but have flirted with it. Today a guy who claimed he was neg was visiting the city where I live. We had planned to hook up so he could breed me. Long story short I agonized all day about whether or not to do it. In the end he cancelled anyway. I have a lot of upcoming travel with plans to bb. It always makes me anxious. Today while reading the stories i decided it's time I know. If I am poz I am going to stop stressing and enjoy the ride. If I am neg I may still continue on my journey but with different insights. I guess I had fallen in love with and accepted the fact that I could be poz and was ok with it. Tonight after dinner with a friend I went to cvs purchased an oraquick test came home read the direction and took the test. While waiting for the results read some hot stories. My results were neg. I am happy with this result as I don't consider myself a chaser. I do enjoy the thrill of the risk but in the end I don't want to be poz. I am prepared for what may come. Had it not been for this site I don't think I could have made this step. I am not sure what the future hold for me but I am ok with that. Just wanted to share my long journey.