Prep questions

[Ken2809]

Hi all,

I'm an older guy who just had a breakup of a lomgterm relationship and am thinking of going on prep so that I can finally fuck like I want: I.e. bare. Can you guys who are on prep share your stories with me? It would be very helpful and I’d be very grateful.  Anything about side effects, STI’s, are you happy to be on prep? How has it improved your sex life?  Anything else you would like to share would be very helpful. Thx in advance. 

[BootmanLA]

56 minutes ago, Ken2809 said:

Hi all,

I'm an older guy who just had a breakup of a lomgterm relationship and am thinking of going on prep so that I can finally fuck like I want: I.e. bare. Can you guys who are on prep share your stories with me? It would be very helpful and I’d be very grateful.  Anything about side effects, STI’s, are you happy to be on prep? How has it improved your sex life?  Anything else you would like to share would be very helpful. Thx in advance. 

I'm sure you'll get a number of responses that are more based on personal experience than mine could be (as I am on HIV treatment, not PrEP), but I would throw out a few things for you to consider.

1. PrEP doesn't do anything, as you probably know, to prevent any STI with the exception of HIV. In fact, if you're moving from condom-using sex to bare sex with PrEP, and especially if you're going to be expanding the universe of your sexual partners, the likelihood of getting an STI along the way go up considerably. That said, it's hard to say just how much, because it largely depends on what the STI picture is where you live - or where you visit, if you travel and have sex while traveling.

2. It used to be easy to cover the side effects of PrEP because until not long ago, there was essentially only one form of PrEP - the one we know by the brand name Truvada. While not everyone experienced side effects at all, those who did typically had a limited range of issues (though there were always odd cases where a particular person's body reacted differently than anyone else's). Descovy introduced a new wrinkle, because although its ingredients and Truvada's were almost identical, one of the two active ingredients was a slightly different compound - one that had fewer side effects in some areas but at least one that was more common. There's now injectable versions of PrEP as well, but they're newer and less is known about them. And Truvada's formulation is now available in many places as a generic drug, too.

3. I would imagine that virtually everyone who's on PrEP will report that it's very much a net positive - the sex is more pleasurable, you can relax about worries like condoms breaking, and so forth. The drawback for the longest time was cost - until most insurance companies began to cover it, it was expensive. There are people who complain about having to take a pill daily (or having to plan ahead and take PrEP before and after sex, which is even more complex).

But those are just what I expect the responses to address - I'm sure others will have considerably more detail to add, particularly about how various PrEP options affected their bodies.

[DallasPozzible]

PrEP has been a godsend for me. From ‘85 until I started PrEP (about 2016?), I was a condom nazi. But I remember many times catching guys pulling off the condom or saying “the condom broke.” I’ve had no side effects from either Truvada or Descovey. I did get one dose of chlamydia. However, my doc has added DoxyPEP to my regimen (doxycycline to take after sex) which greatly reduces risk of getting an STI. I HIGHLY recommend getting on both PrEP and PEP.

[hntnhole]

The only (smallish) issue I've experienced with Descovy, is occasional looseness of the bowels.  I eat really healthy (or as healthy as I know how - u-no-hoo) - so it's not that big a deal for me.  

[GuelphGuy72]

The first couple of weeks my stomach was off.  Since then I have had no noticeable issues.  I am very happy to be on PrEP.  It has allowed me to play bareback with minimal worry.

[MKSub24]

I take event based and it is a real game changer. As you all know on here, sex is so much better bare, and you don't have to worry about condoms breaking or guys stealthing you. Yes, there is a higher chance of catching other STIs but at least having prep forces you into regular STI checks and they can be treated. The only side effect i have had is the loosening of bowel movements, but i have to clean out before meets anyway! And in the UK, Prep is free, thanks to our good old NHS.

[KylerIsTrash]

Definitely a game changer. I’ve been off PrEP since 2020 but had been on it almost from the beginning. Probably about 10 years. I recall having some GI changes at the beginning but have compensated with diet, fiber, and a regular clean up routine.

PrEP is an anti viral. It will protect against HIV but not other viruses (like HPV, HCV, HSV, etc) and not bacterial infections (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, etc). Make sure you’re up to date on vaccines for hepatitis and HPV. Also consider talking to your provider about doxycycline as Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) you take it after sex to help ward off the bacterial infections.

I was fucking bareback before PrEP. Idk how I didn’t catch but I’ve taken several thousand raw loads while I was on it. I was still neg when I stopped a few years ago. Sex should not be an anxiety inducing experience. PrEP it up and fuck how you want!

Also, sorry to hear about the breakup. Relationships can be a mix of the good and bad. Hope you can hold on to the good parts and move on from the rest. ❤️

[DBan]

I Have been on PrEP for a little more than 3 mouths, I went in 2 weeks ago for my checkup. I was still hiv neg with no STI's. I did develop a rash on my arm that started right after I started the medicine (Truvida Generic Form). The health clinic called and said my kidney function numbers went a little to the down side and would keep eye on them, and renewed the prescription.  About a week ago I quit taking the PrEP  to see if the rash would clear up, and it has started to go away. I will start taking it again in a few weeks and see what happens. They told me if my numbers go down again they would have to take me off the PrEP.

[norefusal]

On 2/25/2024 at 10:13 PM, Ken2809 said:

Hi all,

I'm an older guy who just had a breakup of a lomgterm relationship and am thinking of going on prep so that I can finally fuck like I want: I.e. bare. Can you guys who are on prep share your stories with me? It would be very helpful and I’d be very grateful.  Anything about side effects, STI’s, are you happy to be on prep? How has it improved your sex life?  Anything else you would like to share would be very helpful. Thx in advance. 

this was exactly my situation. 

when i reentered the market after many years off, i went out and bought a big box of condoms and started meeting guys and see where things led. 

after 3 months it seems it almost always led to me w some random dudes load up my ass and an unopened box of condoms, so i went on prep. 

3 years later and ive had 0 side effects. at least 1 sti so now they send me a bottle of doxy w every bottle of prep. 

[Leather69]

Monitoring kidney function is essential whilst taking prep. I can only take it "on demand" as I only have one kidney (cancer) and my specialists keep a close eye on the readings.

[KatrinaSassy2019]

On 2/25/2024 at 10:40 PM, DallasPozzible said:

PrEP has been a godsend for me. From ‘85 until I started PrEP (about 2016?), I was a condom nazi. But I remember many times catching guys pulling off the condom or saying “the condom broke.” I’ve had no side effects from either Truvada or Descovey. I did get one dose of chlamydia. However, my doc has added DoxyPEP to my regimen (doxycycline to take after sex) which greatly reduces risk of getting an STI. I HIGHLY recommend getting on both PrEP and PEP.

Just starting doxy also

[Falls727]

PrEP is a game-changing drug that has allowed me to experience the most incredible bareback sex. Bare is best and cum should be released deep inside an ass where it belongs. 
 

I have had no side effects from the drug. You should continue to have renal and hepatic functions monitored regularly, but most doctors will run these panels anyway at a yearly physical; simple blood test. 
 

The benefits of this drug allow you to experience limitless bareback sex without the worry of contracting HIV. The drug does not prevent against other STIs, so you should be screened every 90 days just to make sure. Most of the STIs are bacterial in-nature and are treatable with antibiotic therapy.
 

I highly recommend this drug and I am so glad that I have control over my sex life since starting Descovy over a year ago.

[NicNorth]

I’ve been on daily prep for a few years - lower (but consistently so) kidney scores have meant I’m now on  Descovy.  A smaller pill and no side effects - kidney scores staying the same.  Does make sex more relaxed and enjoyable.  Also started doxyprep which has reduced so far to nil the amount of bacterial STDs .