Has anyone taken PEP?

[rawpisspig]

Think I was exposed last night to HIV. Has anyone taken PEP after exposure? What are the side effects etc? Does it work?

[Poz1956]

PEP effectiveness is in the high 90s percent wise.  While being exposed doesn't necessairly mean you caught the bug, it would still be a wise move.

 

If the exxposure was from an Undetectable Pozzie, you probably don't need to go through the hasstle of PEP.  Docs may ask if you know how to contact the guy you think might have exposed you, so they can test him, and/or get his medical data.  In some places that contact info has been used to charge the guy, so keep that in mind.

 

The side effects, and how severe they are depends on what drugs are used.  PEP guidelines differ from place to place.  Some use  a two drug regime, others three.

 

As BearBandit likes to say, side effects are not compulsory.  If you do experience them, they could include diarrhea, upset stomach, headaches, and/or fatigue.  Get a box of generic Imodium (Loperamide) from WalMart or Costco, and maybe your favorite liquid relief for tummy trouble (Pepto, Malox, Divol . . .)  Dificulties are worse at the beginning, and will taper off with time.

 

A lot of people wimp out, and don't complete the course of PEP.  To be blunt, these are the same drugs Poz people take every day, for the rest of our lives.  If we can do it, you should be able to take it for a full a 28 days.

[rawpisspig]

Am on PEP. Hope it goes well!

[Letsdothis]

I finished pep a few weeks ago, I found the side effects bad for the first night then it calmed down, but was not great the whole time on them.

 

tested neg a week after pep but it extends the testing window so you need to test 12 weeks after finishing.  It has a very high success rate apparently.