what to tell the people at the health clinic about history

[dareme2doit]

I really love barebacking, but am neg and not chasing but not hiding either. I figure if and when I do convert, I want to know, so I still get tested regularly. The thing is where I get tested there's always a host of sexual history questions I have to answer first so they can assess risk, and I'm never sure how to answer.

Has anybody ever gone to one of these clinics and been upfront about barebacking with guys whose status is unknown, or known poz? I guess I'm mostly worried about it affecting my quality of care if I do test poz, that it'll go in some file that I was chasing and have it impact insurance coverage later. (not to mention suffering a safe sex lecture I'm not interested in) Am I just being paranoid? If you go in for an anonymous test as an unapologetic barebacker, are there downsides?

On the other hand, if you go in and lie about your history and test poz anyway, will they give you the third degree to figure out how you got it if you were as safe as you claimed?

[rawTOP]

Tell the truth. It's a doctor's job to deal with the patient before them, in whatever state they're in, and wherever they're coming from. And assuming you live in a place with proper doctor-patient confidentiality, what you tell them can never be told to someone else (outside their organization).

Now, if they start lecturing you, try to politely shut down the conversation with comments like "I understand the risks and I've made an informed choice about what is right for me." If that doesn't work try confounding them with the facts like "5 times more gay men will die from smoking than from HIV/AIDS." and then say you're comfortable with the risks your taking.

I'd also suggest you think about PrEP. Saying you're on PrEP is a great way to shut them up (at least in regards to HIV) - you'll still hear about how dangerous gonorrhea is becoming, etc.

[fillmyholeftl]

I don't know where you are, but here in Florida, where I am a HIV tester & counselor... the risk assessment questions are not linked to the clients name. Its used for statistical purposes only. If anyone (confidential or anonymous testing) testes POSITIVE, they are linked to services.

I really love barebacking, but am neg and not chasing but not hiding either. I figure if and when I do convert, I want to know, so I still get tested regularly. The thing is where I get tested there's always a host of sexual history questions I have to answer first so they can assess risk, and I'm never sure how to answer.

Has anybody ever gone to one of these clinics and been upfront about barebacking with guys whose status is unknown, or known poz? I guess I'm mostly worried about it affecting my quality of care if I do test poz, that it'll go in some file that I was chasing and have it impact insurance coverage later. (not to mention suffering a safe sex lecture I'm not interested in) Am I just being paranoid? If you go in for an anonymous test as an unapologetic barebacker, are there downsides?

On the other hand, if you go in and lie about your history and test poz anyway, will they give you the third degree to figure out how you got it if you were as safe as you claimed?

[curiouspuppy429]

What do you tell them to get Prep? I usually don't bareback but have been forced a few times and tried it a few others. Don't plan to anymore but for times when it is forced I would love to be protected.

[Guest JizzDumpWI]

i was just honest with my clinic. i understood they advocate for condom sex but i refuse to use them. they sent me to doc for PrEP.

[Guest mspchaser]

I'm honest with my doctor. I tell him that I have unprotected sex with multiple men and more often than not they ejaculate in my ass and some are poz and many I don't know their status. Then he judges me, tells me that I'm promiscuous, orders STD / HIV testing, and we go our separate ways (until something comes up on a test... then he calls me). Next year... same process.

[wood]

an easy way to get PrEP without hearing the whole diatribe is to just say you are dating a HIV+ person, and want more protection.

[pozpig]

I have to agree that you should inform your doctor about your practices. Some doctors like to put their $.02 in when they hear of a patient who is less than careful, almost to the point of making you feel guilty. My suggestion is that you kindly inform your doctor that you are aware of the risks, but do not wish to change your behavior. If that becomes an issue, perhaps a new doctor might be in order.

My doctor is vaguely aware of my behavior, and although he isn't exactly happy with it, does manage to treat me when the need arises. We also have a standing order for STD screenings at minimum every year, frequently every 6 months (or after a VERY good night at Slammer. LOL). I only say vaguely because the clinic I go through has gone through several specialists since I first started going there 12 years ago and in some cases have only seen a particular doctor a few times at most before he was replaced with another.

Bottom line, you are the patient in need of treatment when the need presents itself, and the doctor is there being paid to provide the treatment you need, not to counsel or judge your behavior.

[dareme2doit]

the doctor is there being paid to provide the treatment you need, not to counsel or judge your behavior.

I think this depends on where you're going for testing. I go to a sexual health clinic where education and counselling is a big part of their mandate, and pre- and post- counselling is part of the package when you go for an anonymous HIV test. It might be different if I had, say, a family doctor do it, but It's the best option for me for anonymous testing right now. I guess being firm about already knowing the risks may be my best strategy to skip the guilt-trip.

[rawTOP]

What do you tell them to get Prep? I usually don't bareback but have been forced a few times and tried it a few others. Don't plan to anymore but for times when it is forced I would love to be protected.

If you don't routinely bareback, then PrEP probably isn't a good choice for you. There is a risk and an expense to taking PrEP, so it's not for everyone.

[dareme2doit]

If you don't routinely bareback, then PrEP probably isn't a good choice for you.

I don't suppose there's any rule of thumb for when is often enough to be worth it? I suppose I should read up on it. I think if I completely dropped any inhibitions and was fucking and getting fucked whenever I wanted to (not just whenever I felt like taking the risk) I'd probably be getting/giving a couple loads a month, which I suspect would be worth it.

[VersatileBreeder]

My advice is to disclose whatever information you are comfortable disclosing. If you aren't comfortable talking about your sexual practices, then either tell them that or you could lie and tell them that you have been with only a few partners.

I used to go to a county health department where there was a case manager, she was an older woman who would chastise the hell out of you no matter what you told her. When she asked me how many partners I had in the last six months, I lied and said 4 (the correct number was more like 24) and she gave me hell for that. I don't go there anymore because of her. I've been to Planned Parenthood a few times and have had no questions asked, just in and out testing.

I have been to another county's health clinic I liked. The woman there was very conversational and as the rapid test was in the works, she was discussing the risks involved in unprotected sex. She didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, but I appreciated her talking to me like a human and delivering her information in a non-invasive, non-judgmental way. That's the kind of place you need to go to.