doc said no-- next step?

[hungry4more]

So I tried talking to my doc about PrEP today and he shut down the conversation. I was there for something else, as well as routine sti/hiv testing, and when he asked me why I had scheduled the sti testing, I told him it's because I am regularly having sex w/o condoms. I then asked about PrEP, telling the truth that a couple of regular buds I play with are on it and told me I should get on it too. He acted like they were ridiculous-- asked me, "and how often do they take it? just whenever they have sex?", said they're using it as PEP and when I said, "no they take it every day, as a PRE-exposure drug," he cut me off and said, "I know what pre-exposure means" (???). Then he started pushing me to give a reason to justify not using condoms. When I got through that and brought it up that truvada was FDA approved, he said, "I know that but I think that it's too dangerous because it could weaken the effectiveness of truvada if you do get hiv."

Not really sure what my next step should be. Schedule another appointment and bring it up more forcefully? I'm a university student on my school's health plan, so the health centre (and this doc, or his co-workers) are my gate-keeper docs-- prescriptions need to come from them or a doctor they refer for my insurance to cover it. Any suggestions? So far I've stayed neg and getting on PrEP would make my anxiety levels about bb'ing go down a lot.

[fillmyholeftl]

Find a new Dr. !!! You need to be comfortable& not shut down with your primary physician. You should see someone who is more knowledgeable about HIV, even tho you are negative.

[Guest JizzDumpWI]

What region of the country do you live in? Find a local infectious disease doc. Potentially find the sponsoring doctor for local STD clinics. Let us know what you find.

[btm4uxxx]

this is the first and probably only time I will post a reply but you have got to find a new Dr. one that you can talk openly and honestly about your sex life...he/she works for you, not the other way around and he/she is supposed to be a partner with you in making informed decisions whether the dr. agrees with you or not isn't the point, its that they help you to understand your options. you get to make the final choice...and don't let some uppity narrow mind keep you away from a treatment (and I can say it took me 3 Drs to find the one who I trust and freely talk with about all the decisions I make (from std's to partying). you deserve better than this chooch

[TigerMilner]

Ditto! Find a new doctor. When I got pozzed I saw three before I was comfortable. The first two were not up to date and all they wanted me to do was use condoms. No meds. Just condoms. Just find a new doctor. It is always best for gay men to have a gay doctor if possible. I drive 3 hours to see mine. I have a local General Practioner for regular stuff, but this and anything related to gay sex is not regular stuff. You need someone who knows.

Find a new Dr. !!! You need to be comfortable& not shut down with your primary physician. You should see someone who is more knowledgeable about HIV, even tho you are negative.

[fillmyholeftl]

I am lucky to live in Fort Lauderdale, because of the large HIV community here there are some excellent drs, infectious specialists, internists who have limited their practices to HIV. My current Dr as well as a couple specialists I see ("ass Doctor") have no problem asking about what position you are (top/bottom) and never shame you when discussing safer sex practices. I also sork in HIV education and am lucky to have access to many o h excellent resources available.

So I tried talking to my doc about PrEP today and he shut down the conversation. I was there for something else, as well as routine sti/hiv testing, and when he asked me why I had scheduled the sti testing, I told him it's because I am regularly having sex w/o condoms. I then asked about PrEP, telling the truth that a couple of regular buds I play with are on it and told me I should get on it too. He acted like they were ridiculous-- asked me, "and how often do they take it? just whenever they have sex?", said they're using it as PEP and when I said, "no they take it every day, as a PRE-exposure drug," he cut me off and said, "I know what pre-exposure means" (???). Then he started pushing me to give a reason to justify not using condoms. When I got through that and brought it up that truvada was FDA approved, he said, "I know that but I think that it's too dangerous because it could weaken the effectiveness of truvada if you do get hiv."

Not really sure what my next step should be. Schedule another appointment and bring it up more forcefully? I'm a university student on my school's health plan, so the health centre (and this doc, or his co-workers) are my gate-keeper docs-- prescriptions need to come from them or a doctor they refer for my insurance to cover it. Any suggestions? So far I've stayed neg and getting on PrEP would make my anxiety levels about bb'ing go down a lot.

[BiAggieGuy]

Yep, just find a new doctor. If mine had refused to discuss PrEP, I would have gone else where. Thankfully I knew he wouldn't.

[Guest beezee]

Try talking to My PrEP Experience at http://www.myprepexperience.blogspot.co.uk/ who recently advocated on behalf of a university student who was refused PrEP by the university health centre he was forced to go through.

[firefighter]

If you look at my post in this thread https://breeding.zone/threads/24816-PrEP-In-Ireland , I received a reply from

a Prof Sheena Mc Cormack, who offered to speak to my GP on my behalf, might be worth sending her an email, she might put that ass hole

Dr Of yours wise.

[bearbandit]

First off complain about to the doctor to the relevant authorities. PrEP is a licensed treatment recommended for guys in your situation. If you were to get HIV while on PrEP it would be a next door to a miracle. Truvada was originally designed as a treatment drug, therefore dealing with an entire body's worth of HIV, not just with an asshole full's worth. Even if you were unlucky enough to get HIV while on PrEP, it's not your taking truvada that would weaken its effect: it's the fact that your pozdaddy's virus had a mutation making it resistant to truvada. You do not become resistant to a drug: the virus becomes resistant to the drug.

Try and see another doctor, prefereably one who can see the difference between a human being and a virus. As for your original doctor, knee him in the balls, kiss him on the lips and say "bearbandit sends his love". <joke: I am not soliciting unwanted violence! >

[rawTOP]

Absolutely report the doctor. First to the state licensing board, then to the board of health (or the equivalents where you live). Both need to know that he's not giving approved treatment and putting the health of his patients at risk as a result. Hopefully one or both will issue him a stern reprimand.

Then find a new doctor.

[mike_thieriot]

The fact that he would make that kind of statement about possible weakening of Truvada if you did get HIV just shows that he has no idea what he's talking about. A particular strain of HIV can become resistant to a given medication by exposing the strain to the medication and allowing the virus to evolve its way around it. That obviously can't happen if there is no virus in your system.

I'd find another, more knowledgeable doctor. Not everyone who graduates from med school is intelligent enough to be trusted with your health.

[mike_thieriot]

Absolutely report the doctor. First to the state licensing board, then to the board of health (or the equivalents where you live). Both need to know that he's not giving approved treatment and putting the health of his patients at risk as a result. Hopefully one or both will issue him a stern reprimand.

Then find a new doctor.

Would it, though? As I understand it, the government cannot tell a doctor what to prescribe. Though perhaps medical associations can?

[Guest beezee]

The fact that he would make that kind of statement about possible weakening of Truvada if you did get HIV just shows that he has no idea what he's talking about.

Doc is sort of right :-(. You can end up with Truvada-resistant HIV if you're +ve when you start Truvada or if you catch it while you're not taking it properly (and we know that less than 20% bother to take their pills every day, so...).

But that's why you're supposed to have a HIV test when you start and every 3 months after.

I'd still contact My PrEP Experience .. or ask to be referred to a specialist .. I don't think a doctor is obliged to prescribe you something just cos you ask for it or the state intervenes.. that sounds kind of.. un-American?

[hungry4more]

thanks guys. I'll be speaking to this doctor again this week about something else and I'll bring it up again then. If he shuts down the discussion for a second time, I'll request a new doc.