Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'prep'.
-
November 5, 2015 'Significant Victory' as Gilead Expands Co-Pay Assistance for Truvada as PrEP Gilead Sciences announced its Truvada as PrEP co-pay assistance program will cover a total annual benefit of $3,600 with no monthly limit, according to Gilead spokesperson Ryan McKeel. The new program is effective November 6. When taken daily, Truvada (which contains the HIV meds tenofovir and emtricitabine) has proved to be nearly 100 percent effective as a pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, to prevent HIV. AIDS activist Peter Staley and a group of PrEP advocates had approached Gilead, which manufactures Truvada, about making the med more accessible and affordable. Staley told POZ he views the new co-pay program as a “significant victory, even if it’s not everything we asked for. “PrEP advocates are going to closely monitor how these new co-pay assistance cards play out,” he continued. “If substantial numbers of patients start hitting the $3,600 max mid-year, Gilead is going to hear from us, loudly.” A problem that Staley and other PrEP advocates have been hearing is that people are deterred from using Truvada as PrEP when they are faced with very high annual deductibles. For example, according to a 2015 report from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average annual deductible for plans for singles is $1,318 (although they vary widely), and the average co-pay for first-tier drugs is $11, second-tier drugs, $31, third-tier drugs, $54, and fourth-tier drugs, $93. “We hear constant stories of folks deciding not to fill that first bottle of Truvada because the bill is over $1,000—all going to pay their plan’s deductible,” Staley said. For people who have insurance plans with fixed copays, Staley said, “Gilead just increased its coverage big time.” Noting that folks will need more financial assistance if their insurance plans charge coinsurance percentages instead of flat copays, Staley said he and advocates will keep pushing Gilead to raise its annual max payment. 1 For more information about Truvada and Gilead’s co-pay assistance program, click here. For more about barriers to PrEP, click here. -
Bringing my boy to celebrate his 23rd birthday on Sunday. We'll be at a local motel where he's asked that his only birthday present be for me to turn him into a cumdump. We'll be at the motel from later today until Monday morning. He's usually very selective about who he lets fuck him, but I've explained to him he gets no say in this type of situation; he's agreed. He's on PREP, so he's ready for anything. His fantasy is to take at least one load for each year before Sunday. Plan is to check in around 3:00, hit a couple of bars and bookstores, then start the fun around 6:00. He'll be buzzed, but not to where he's lost. He's booty bump friendly, but wants to know that he's getting fucked and he likes the pain that comes with multiple use and the feel of loads slicking his cunt. I'm proud of my boy for giving me this gift. He's a good boy who keeps in good shape: was a baseball player all through college, still goes to the gym. He's only been exploring his submissive side for a year, and this is his real foray into turning himself over to the darkness of his desires. Hit us up on here for more details. I'll be with him in the room, watching to ensure his safety as a good Dad should. We'll have both our phones for pictures and videos as well as a couple of GoPro cams for guys to use as they want. Not required, but definitely a bonus. He'll be blindfolded if you like, but his face will always be in the pillow when not being used for sucking to get you hard or cleaning your cock after.
-
https://serodiscordantcanuck.wordpress.com/2015/10/22/hiv-petnames-for-boyfriend-whats-ur-fave/
-
A story that aired on King5 here in Seattle about PrEP http://www.king5.com/story/news/health/2015/10/15/truvada-underutilized/73989052/
-
I too took my medication cautiously. I had the bottle for several weeks before I started taking it, coordinating it with some time off from work in case there were side effects. I had some very, very minor nausea, that could have been something else for a day or two after I started and that was it. I just got my first refill and started taking the 2nd month's dosage. Most things I read said 7 days was all that was needed to be effective but I waited a full month. Now, knowing I can take any load has me so horny I can't see straight, a side effect that wasn't listed on the paperwork. lol In the past, I've serosorted a lot and remained negative so it must have worked. This coming weekend I'm renting a room, placing some ads and taking any and every load offered to me. When I've done this before I've passed on what would have probably been some pretty good tops because I had doubts about their status or truthfullness. This time I'm going to be the slut I've always wanted to be.
-
A sexual health clinic in London has taken the unprecedented step of prescribing truvada as PrEP without waiting for it to be approved by the government's own drug approval body, NICE, which basically evaluates each drug as it becomes available and determines if the increase in quality of life the drug offers justifies its market price. The first article that I'm aware of is here: http://www.beyondpositive.org/2015/08/04/opinion-will-privately-prescribing-prep-do-more-harm-than-good/ Although I've written for this magazine, it's some time since I've sent them any work. However, I'd note that, for once, I agree with the author of the piece and feel that the worries he raises in the piece are all too real. <edit> Just found the clinic's website: http://getprep.uk/
-
So one of the things I have done in the past is taken other medications for PrEP. What I mean by this however is that they will all contain tenofovir/emtricitabine. For example. a few months ago a friend moved away and left his bottle of atripla at my place. I asked if he wanted it mailed to him, he declined. In a few cases then when my truvada was running low I would take the atripla for a few days. A similar thing happened with another friend on stribild. My main question is: Is there any harm in this? Im negative so drug resitance isnt a problem. Yes I am taking extra medication, but I didnt suffer any side effects, so I really am not worried about that either. Any input from others on here?
-
Where are the good places for raw loads from other good looking guys and play with dudes on prep, poz healthy dudes?? Getting into bath houses and want to experience more with groups although I've never been to a sex party. Any suggestions?? I've been to a couple bath houses in Miami and Wilton Manors but wasn't very impressed (maybe I wasn't there on a good night.) I've been hearing about hotels, resorts, etc with sex parties. I wouldn't mind taking multiple loads or sucking a lot of dudes but not into just spreading my legs for any cock, makes sense?
-
In the Netherlands a new research project with PrEP starts soon. They are going to test two forms of taking PrEP and I wonder if anybody has any experience with the second form. 1) Daily PrEp: Every day, with food, 1 tablet Truvada. 2) Intermittent PrEP: Between 24 to 2 hrs before possible exposure, with food, 2 tablets Truvada, after possible exposure 1 tablet Truvada every 24hrs till 48hrs after possible exposure. (I don't know if it's the first pill straight after possible exposure, so 3 after exposure, or 1 after 24 hrs so total 2 pills after exposure) Since I subscribed for this trial (even though I haven't heard yet if I can participate since there are maximum 370 spots) and the participants can choose themselves which form they choose, I'm really curious if anybody has any experience or thoughts about the 2nd option.
-
Amsterdam newspaper "Het Parool" announces today that the Amsterdam health care services GGD is finally allowed to start a PrEP investigating project. 370 Gay men and transgenders will be selected to participate in a test project over the next 3 years. It will be the first time that PrEP will be tested in the Netherlands and the first time worldwide that participants will be given a choice between taking daily medication OR using PrEP before or after having condomless sex. The number of new HIV infections in the Netherlands has been stable for some years at around 1100 per year, of which about 370 in Amsterdam. 71% of those are gay men. The investigative project will focus on: - Interest to start using PrEP (how many and why) - True to therapy (i.e. use the medication as prescribed) - What it is like to use PrEP - Will the cost of this project weigh up against the cost of people getting infected with HIV and cost of medication after that as a result. Project runs from June 1025 until december 2018. http://www.ggd.amsterdam.nl/nieuwsoverzicht/proef-prep-strijd/ -------------------------- 1) I am glad that FINALLY PrEP is being tested in NL 2) I am disappointed it is a project that runs until 2018 before they publish the results. While results are available from countries where PrEP is already available. 3) I am disappointed that it is only the city of Amsterdam running this project and not other Dutch GGD organizations as well. Still, better than nothing I guess.
-
I'm posting this one level above the PrEP subforum and the HIV risk reduction subforum, because it also implicates testing and (prompt) treatment, and highlights community-level initiatives. Please move if necessary. From the July 7, 2015 San Francisco Examiner: "New HIV infections and deaths of HIV-infected people in [san Francisco] dropped more than 17 percent from 2013 to 2014, according to the Department of Public Health. There were 302 new HIV diagnoses last year, and 177 deaths of HIV-infected people, according to the department. That's down from 371 and 209, respectively, the year before. "Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began in the 1980s, those numbers are the lowest ever recorded [...] "The most telling statistic may be this: Since 2012, when the drug Truvada was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an HIV/AIDS prevention drug, new infections have dropped by 30 percent [...] "In addition to increasing awareness and access to PreP [sic] as a prevention tool, public health officials tout the wide availability of HIV/AIDS testing and rapid access to antiretroviral treatment via UC San Francisco as key to the significant drop in new infections." www.sfexaminer.com/sf-records-all-time-low-in-hiv-infections-deaths Here are some of the unique initiatives and conditions in San Francisco that help make this possible: • Well-funded public health system, including clinics and hospital • Shame-free City Clinic offering STI testing and treatment, rapid initiation of anti-retroviral therapy in newly-diagnosed HIV patients, and counselors to help PrEP patients tap their insurance plans and Gilead's assistance programs • Pooled PCR RNA HIV viral load testing standard in public health facilities. Patients with risky exposures receive a test that tells them several weeks sooner whether they have HIV. Pooling (some blood from every patient is mixed, and only if this pool tests positive are the samples tested individually) reduces cost. • Rapid HIV antibody tests standard in public health facilities, for routine (no recent risky exposure) testing. No risk that patients will fail to return for results. • Immediate microscopy performed on urine and discharge samples, at City Clinic, when symptoms indicate an STI. No risk that patients will fail to return for antibiotics. (HIV transmission is more likely when other STIs are present.) • Provision of antibiotic "partner packs" and instructions, consistent with Centers for Disease Control guidelines, when an STI is diagnosed. Reaches sex partners who might not have access to health care. • Well-organized HIV care module and PrEP program from the largest private medical provider and insurer, Kaiser Permanente Despite all these measures, almost every day someone still gets HIV, and almost every other day, someone still dies of it, in San Francisco. If your local community lacks some of these measures, speak up! -
I finally started PrEP. It was a great decision for many reasons - I love fucking raw and I especially love taking loads. I am in good health and generally don't have issues with side effects from medications. Plus I work in health care and the company I work for runs a pharmacy, and the company picks up my copays as one of my benefits, so PrEP doesn't cost me anything out of pocket. My doctor told me PrEP would take about a week to be effective, so today I took my seventh dose and I made plans to hook up with a buddy of mine I hadn't seen for a while. Dave is a closeted married guy in his 50s. He's an inch shorter than me at 5'6", with silver hair and brown eyes. He's smooth and muscular with abit of a belly. Not the sort of guy I usually Go for to be honest - I tend to gravitate towards bears/cubs like myself - but Dave is a very sweet guy and very, very enthusiastic about sex, which makes him plenty attractive to me! His wife was away so he asked me to come over to play. We'd fucked a few times but he always insisted on condoms - I'm the only guy he plays with and he knows I fuck with other guys. He picked me up this morning and we drove to his house. While in the car he rubbed my tight almost the whole way over, telling me how much he missed being with me and he couldn't wait to get naked with me. I brought up the fact that I was now on PrEP and that I had been on it long enough to be sure I was protected against HIV. I also told him that since I had to be tested before I could go on it I knew I was negative for any other STDs and hadn't been with anyone else since my testing was done. I told him I would respect it if he still wanted to use condoms, but that we didn't have to if he didn't want to. He couldn't hide the hunger in his eyes as I talked, and I knew we were going to swap loads. We got to Dave's house and immediately went upstairs to his bed - *their* bed, I reminded myself. There's something so hot and naughty to me about having sex with a man in the bed he usually shares with his wife. We stripped to our underwear and Dave pulled out a bag of weed and a pipe. He always liked to take a toke or two before we fucked. I had smoked pot for the first time a month prior and took to it quickly, although I have found it tends to have unpredictable effects on me sexually. He offered me the pipe and I took a deep deep hit. We kissed as the pot coursed through my system. I felt the waves of relaxation roll over me as Dave kissed down my neck, breathing warmly over my ear and firmly massaging my shoulders with his hands. We ground our underwear-clad erections against each other. I felt warm and tingly all over from the pot. Dave was on top of me, worshiping my body with his hands and tongue, licking and sucking my nips, massaging my balls, running his fingers up and down my furry torso. He ripped my boxer briefs off and swallowed my cock in one quick motion. My cock throbbed achingly as he aggressively deep throated me. My hips began to thrust as I fucked his warm wet mouth. He moaned as his own hard cock rubbed against the inside of his white Calvin briefs. It was a beautiful sight - for some reason nothing is hotter to me than a "straight" married dad in white briefs. By this time I was full-on stoned. My mind stopped forming coherent thoughts or words. Every instinct in my body was that I had to fill this man with my load. The heat of the moment and the complete release of my inhibitions had turned me into a voracious top man - a role I don't often play, but I enjoy the heck out of! I pulled Dave's mouth off my cock and pulled him in for a kiss. Gently but firmly I guided him onto all fours, grabbing the lube off the nightstand. My mind wanted desperately to say to him "I'm going to fuck you now," but the words wouldn't form. All that came out of my mouth was a long, low growl as I fingered the silicone into his hole. He was so incredibly tight and warm. He writhed and moaned, and I could sense that his pain at my penetration of him was gradually turning to pleasure as I quickly found the warm, firm lobe of his prostate and massaged it, reaching underneath him with my other hand to tug on his balls. It must be mentioned that Dave has a very thick penis. It's no longer than mine - about 6" - but about as thick as a Red Bull can. He hadn't been able to get it into me before - he doesn't do well fucking in rubbers, and I'm fairly tight, so the last two times he'd tried to fuck me he only succeeded in losing his boner. I had my hand wrapped around his thick shaft now and I felt it throb with each stroke of my finger against his prostate. Finally I couldn't stand to wait any longer. I knelt behind him, my 6" cut cock hard and ready. I grabbed him by the hips and pulled him backward, lining my cock head up with his tight, lubed hole. The head made contact and I felt his warmth. His ass lips parted as I continued to press into him, his velvety fuck chute swallowing inch after inch of my cock. He moaned and said "ohh that's your fucking raw cock in my ass....I've never been fucked raw before....oh my god you feel fucking incredible!" I felt my cock head pop through his inner ring and he grunted in that perfect mix of pain and pleasure. Finally my balls came to rest against his ass as I bottomed out inside him. The pot I'd inhaled had all gotten to my head and I couldn't see, hear or perceive anything else in the world besides the warm body of the sexy man impaled on my cock. The only thought in my mind was to fuck him, to thrust with all my energy and manhood and plant my seed deep inside his ass. I started to fuck in earnest, picking up speed and force as I made his ass mine. Dave moaned louder than I'd ever heard. I grunted and groaned but still couldn't think in coherent words - just enjoying the flashes of colors and bursts of light racing through my brain in its pot-addled state as my body performed like a well oiled fuck machine. I have no idea how long I fucked him - could have been ten minutes, could have been an hour - but I didn't once let up or take a break. Just listened to him moan and sigh and felt his ass tighten around me as he enjoyed the sensation of me using him. Finally I felt the sharp tension of my orgasm building deep inside my pelvis. My balls tightened against me as I bellowed "oh my god Dave I'm gonna cum!!" I felt eight strong pulses as I flooded his guts with my semen. His hole tightened, squeezing every last drop of cum out of my throbbing dick. I collapsed onto his back, and we lay there catching our breath, my cock still held firmly in place by his spasming hole. Gradually I slid out of him and rolled over onto my side. A quick drink of water and before I could even process what was happening I was up on all fours, my face buried in the pillow as Dave sank his tongue deep into my hole. I knew without him saying it - he had taken my load and now he wanted to give me his. And I was in no state to object. I felt one, then two lubed fingers probe my fuckhole and it opened readily. Reaching to the floor, I grabbed the poppers I had brought and took a deep whiff. Since I was still high they were even more effective than usual, and as the euphoria fogged my brain I knew I needed cock, and needed it now. I practically yelled the only thought in my brain - "fuck me Dave...fuck me hard!!!" Dave plunged his thick cock into me, and although his head slipped in fairly easily, the girth of his shaft made it a bit difficult, even in my altered state. My hole spasmed and pushed him out. On the third attempt he got past my tight sphincter and sank into me almost to the balls. The sudden stretch of my hole was almost too much, and I came close to blacking out. As I recovered, I took another hit of poppers and became painfully, blissfully tuned in to every inch of the thick cock inside of me. Pot seems to unlock an ability I have to enjoy sex in an abstract way, and I tuned into this feeling very quickly. I became hyper aware of the feeling of being penetrated by a man, and the pure raw masculine energy of two men fucking and breeding and swapping cum. All that mattered was that he keep thrusting into me and that I keep his cock inside of me until his semen coated the walls of my fuckchute. In that moment, I was incredibly thankful and proud to be a man, and to be gay. Nothing else in the world mattered or even existed to me. Finally he let loose a howl of pleasure and thrust all the way into me, firing off several jets of cum into my guts. The warmth and wetness was so incredibly satisfying I was reduced to a quivering mess. I fell asleep in his arms for an hour or so, before showering and heading home. I've really got to get high before fucking more often.
-
Just giving my initial experience for those thinking about going on it. I struggled with the decision, im a total top.. Was usually safe, but of course love BB. I always ask status, testing dates etc. But I know people lie, and don't have a clue or use a oral test which have you read the directions? Definitely not on par with a blood test which I get tested for very regularly. I got a BF, we fuck raw, then he started having me fuck his friend.. Who I found out was poz undetectable later (Drunk fucking which I love and have done lots of silly things in this regard) so in an effort not to get it I did all the research. I started here, then read everything I could get my hands on from giliad. Then I checked my insurance, and without calling I found out I had a 200$ deductible and 35/45$ copay for brand. Then I went to my insurers website and found a handy 2014 PDF that listed what was covered medication wise and found it is covered. So then I decided to talk to my doctor, which I am fortunate I have found and kept a good gay doctor that I can talk to and get honest feedback on what to do. I just scheduled the office visit to get my STI checks and decided while I was waiting to just ask him. It was a complete 180 from what I thought was going to happen, he was extremely upfront, asked questions, and gave honest feedback of what exactly to expect from it. I was upfront about the sex im having (To a point) and he printed out a Gilead form which he had to go over with me point by point (Taking it every day, sexual practices, you must come in every 3 months for STI testing). He also said they would not prescribe more than 3 months to make you come back in for STI testing. I signed the form, they drew several vials of blood and by Thursday they will call it in for me. He said the insurance company will most likely contact them to question it but most just approve it. I went to Gilead and filled out the forms for the copay compensation and got my card so my expense will be minimal: Possible 200$ deductible per year for the prescription 4 trips per year to Dr for 25$ copay each = 100$ And I will get bills for the labcorp testing which my insurance covers most of it and the bills are usually less than 50$ It will probably cost me 500$ a year to be on it, and that's worth it to me. There are three options, 1. Don't have sex (Um, No), 2. Have sex and maybe convert and take medication the rest of my life, 3. Take this and reduce the risk, and if my behavior changes, I don't have to take it anymore. My experience so far...
-
The last few years I'd noticed a decline in bareback fucking... at clubs, bathhouses, outdoor cruising, online etc. I remember cruising Hampstead Heath for several hours, interacting with a good 40-50 guys and they ALL insisted on safe sex. It was frustrating But... Now that guys are on PrEP they are so easy to bend over and take any load, no questions asked. So easy for someone to say "yea me too" Anyone else noticed this? How effective is PrEP?
-
Vice investigates PrEP and whether it has the potential to stop HIV in a three part series http://www.queerty.com/can-our-generation-stop-hiv-with-a-truvada-revolution-vice-investigates-20150604?utm_campaign=wp-to-twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter
-
Started PrEP three weeks ago. Haven't had any sex at all since well before I started the regimen. Been feeling incredibly horny, though, so went out last night. Had a couple beers at the 501 (Indianapolis), and then hit the local bathhouse. Steam room and the outdoor pool felt amazing. And I ended up playing with a couple of guys who I know are poz and undetectable. All told, I took three loads from one, and one-and-a-half from the other (part of his second load sloshed out of me when the first one went to plant his third). God damn it feels good to be able to relax and just enjoy the sex, wallow in the rush and the moment, and not be afraid.
-
Just as the topic states, we all know that PrEP significantly reduces the risk of contracting HIV, but I am wondering who "sorts" a bit, and who doesn't. For myself I ask most of the time, and am fine with "neg" and "undetectable" but I have had some instances recently where I haven't asked at all. There is also a guy who is poz, pretty healthy, but not on meds, who wants to fuck me, and I have to admit I am ambivalent about it.
-
I called a clinic that deals with HIV that is a few counties over from me. They only deal with people with HIV and not those that want PREP. An infectious disease specialist claims she doesn't deal with PREP and was told I should visit my primary care physician. So, that's what I did. However, she said she doesn't know what PREP is and claims she couldn't find it on her cell phone. I was told that they would try to figure out what PREP is, what steps are needed and that they would call me back later. So right now, I'm trying to find a doctor from which I can actually get a prescription for PREP.
-
I'm now on Truvada and have entered into a new relationship with a poz guy. Are there any other serodiscordant couples on here who can give me good advice? I want to know nitty gritty. How often do you not use condoms, and are they even a factor in your relationship? Thanks.
-
So, after about 6 months of going back and forth and a lot of research I finally decided to go on PREP. I have been on it for 32 days now and have taken it daily. I was terrified to start on this, but after mulling it over I decided with my behavior it wasnt a matter of "if" I became HIV poz, but "when." So, I went on it and have had no side effects at all. I got a major headache in the back of my head for a few days the 2nd/3rd week in, but they have subsided. Not even sure if it was due to the medication or not. But, I was very concerned about side effects and I can say I am pleasantly surprised I have none. Obviously time will tell how the body handles this on a regular basis over an extended time, but for now all things seem to be ok. If you are thinking about going on it, it is a personal decision each has to make on their own. I decided to do it and I am glad I did. I am keeping track of my behavior to see if it gets worse or riskier, but honestly it really cant. I started taking loads bb and once I did that I knew I loved it and needed and wanted more. So, hopefully this big blue pill helps. Id like to hear others that have gone on it recently to hear their stories. This page and many others helped. Do your research guys.
-
Deviant Otter just posted a new scene and it's sure to fire up the condom nazi's. I think it is great that he said how he feels I totally agree with him; http://vod.deviantotter.com/?page=index&nats=MzQuMTAwMjEuMTQuMjIuMC4wLjAuMC4w It's no secret that me and abeardedboy have shared a special bond and insane chemistry since the day we met just over two years ago. As of late I've been going up to Toronto, abeardedboy's home base, to help cohost a raging sex party that we started called NoRecip. Every time I've gone up there to help with the party we¹ve wanted to make a vid for you guys, but unfortunately we've been too trashed or too exhausted to film our sexcapades. This time however, I decided its about time the world got to see our smutty sex again, so an hour before going to the airport I powered up my camera and woke his hungry ass up in the nicest way possible for an appropriate farewell. Up until this fuck we've always used condoms because he's positive/undetectable and I'm negative. However, thanks to the advancements in medical science, I have been on PrEP for almost a year now so I was finally able to fuck his ass deep and raw. I'm sure I will get some flack for this, but I don't believe in safe sex, even condoms are not 100% effective against STDS, I believe in smart sex. PrEP allows me to experience sex with undetectable guys that I would never have been able to before with an incredibly low risk. I understand there are still studies being done on side effects and I realize there are a bunch of people against PrEP, but I want great sex and condoms ruin the gruff and grit of sex for me personally. So enough of the PSA. Wicked hot video, he has the best bottom faces ever. Hope you guys enjoy watching us fuck and me breeding his meat pocket for the very first time!
-
BY MARILYNN MARCHIONE AP CHIEF MEDICAL WRITER SEATTLE (AP) -- For the first time, a study shows that a drug used to treat HIV infection also can help prevent it when taken before and after risky sex by gay men. The results offer hope of a more appealing way to help prevent the disease beyond taking daily pills and using condoms, although those methods are still considered best. The study, done in France and Canada, is the first to test "on demand" use of Truvada, a pill combining two AIDS drugs, by people planning to have risky sex. The uninfected men who took it were 86 percent less likely to get HIV compared to men given dummy pills. Read more here: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MED_HIV_PREVENTION_PILLS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT -
Anyone else have this medical + pharmacy insurance combination? Especially if you are on PrEP or taking any HIV meds. Company I work for switched everyone's health insurance carrier from Humana to UnitedHealthcare as of Jan. 1. Our prescription drugs are administered by OptumRx, which is a subsidiary. OptumRx has refused to cover refills for 3 prescription medications (all generics) I was on. Two of them I have been on for more than a year, and they want me to take something else. Both were covered when I was put on them without question by Cigna, which was our health insurer until Dec. 31, 2013. When we switched to Humana a year ago, a "prior authorization" paperwork from the doctor was required, then Humana covered them. Third one I've been on for several months, and OptumRx wants prior authorization because the off-label dosage was high, which Humana hadn't questioned. The worker at the doctor's office who handles prescription refills tells me the doctor signing off on the medications I've been on won't be enough this time, that I will need to try the medications the insurer approves first. So I want to get on Truvada soon, and now I'm worried that this insurer will not cover it because condoms are available. Anyone else run into this problem?
-
So after reading about PrEP on this website a lot, and thinking about whether I wanted to wait to get HIV before starting the Truvada—and the quarterly doctor's visits and lab tests—or start the Truvada before I got infected, I decided to start the PrEP now. I've been taking raw cock almost exclusively for the last five years, so I just sort of assumed I'd eventually convert, get undetectable, and then get back to taking raw cock. But I know there can be health complications with HIV, and it's permanent at least until they find a cure, so I guess the PrEP is the right thing to do, even if it's not all that different from taking HIV medication anyway. Well the thing is, when I had my appointment last week to get the PrEP, I didn't tell them that the reason I wanted to start PrEP was because I love taking raw cock from random guys I just met online, and that I never plan on using another condom again, ever. I met with a nurse, a doctor, an HIV coordinator, and a pharmacist, all women, all very nice—very nice. And even though they said I could tell them anything, that what I said stayed there, etc., there was just no way I could tell these four nice ladies, one after the other, that the reason I wanted Kaiser to pay for this medication was because I just "don't really like condoms." So I told them I had new boyfriend who had HIV, and that I just wanted to be safe in case the condom broke. They were all very happy for me having a new boyfriend and for me being responsible about my health, which just made me feel worse for making it all up. But when the pharmacist pointed out that "Oral sex without a condom is still unprotected sex," and that she was going to recommend condoms every three months when I saw her, I knew they'd really freak out if I told them the truth. So I guess I lied to avoid the judgement, the stigma, the embarrassment, the look of disappointment and worry on their faces if they found out I liked barebacking, and the safe-sex lectures. And the lie worked, because I got the prescription with just a gentle reminder that "Blowjobs are sex, too." But now I feel awful for lying to four such nice ladies, and for lying to a health care provider. I know everyone lies to their doctor once in a while, but this is a lie I'll be repeating every three months for who knows how long. So what do most guys do? Do they tell their doctors the truth, that they want the PrEP because they refuse to wear condoms? Or do they make up some story that they think their doctor wants to hear, like I did? Honestly I'd rather stop taking the PrEP altogether than tell those four nice ladies the truth about my sex life—which sounds silly, I know, considering it's a life-saving drug that most people outside the US can't even get yet, but it's true.
-
Has anyone heard anything about the progress of PReP in Canada? I know that Québec has put the treatment on its subsidized drug plan, but has there been progress elsewhere?
