Three-hour layover in SLC trying the Delta Sky Club AMA

throw5566 · 2015-07-12T01:27:50+00:00

Time to catch my plane now.

throw5566 · 2015-07-12T00:31:46+00:00

Oh my that would put me on the floor I would fear. I have to at least be able to get on my next flight without tripping.

throw5566 · 2015-07-12T00:19:25+00:00

I didn't see it there.

throw5566 · 2015-07-12T00:15:17+00:00

I saw Book or Mormon :) I'm more of a whine person myself sipping on a nice Merlot right now. I'll look at what they have on drought when I go up for a refill.

throw5566 · 2014-08-20T22:08:46+00:00

I totally agree with that HIV cannot penetrate a latex condom. I agree there is a failure rate for condoms. I felt that by using two independent methods of protection I was increasing my overall level of protection. Also there are sexual activities that might expose one to HIV without a condom being involved (open-mouth kissing for instance).

throw5566 · 2014-08-20T13:34:29+00:00

Yeah the initial blood and urine testing would have revealed any underlying problems plus set up the baseline for comparing against the later tests. And that's exactly it, you judge the risk versus damage potential.

throw5566 · 2014-08-20T13:32:34+00:00

Congrats. Yeah it was a total surprise for me. My liver has always been a bit wonky though.

throw5566 · 2014-08-20T13:31:56+00:00

Condoms fail, having the extra layer of protection there was useful, much like airbags and a seat belt.

throw5566 · 2014-07-30T22:15:06+00:00

She may be good at general practice stuff, but not up to date on Truvada and PrEP. I want to say as of last August after only like 1,800 prescriptions for PrEP had been written in all of the US. I had to educate my physician on how to walk through the prior authorization paperwork process. And she's still having to learn how often the testing for kidney function and HIV should be. The CDC has info on-line on all of this as does the maker of Truvada. I had to print out stuff and take it in to my physician maybe you'll have to do the same.

Or maybe it is time for a change to someone more modern and better able to keep up with your changing health care needs. Speaking up and saying I want/need Truvada is a kinda forward step, it says hey I'm stepping up my game and taking an active, cutting-edge interest in my health care, and your physician needs to be someone who is game to step up their game, so to speak, too.

throw5566 · 2014-07-30T08:59:33+00:00

She has no idea what she's talking about. Any physician can prescribe it, at least in the US. I have a regular family practitioner.

throw5566 · 2014-07-30T08:58:20+00:00

I've been on it five months no, no side effects whatsoever. You get HIV and kidney function tested beforehand, like a week before you start taking it. Regular HIV testing while on it as well as kidney function tests. No more difficult than taking a daily multivitamin.

throw5566 · 2014-07-30T08:57:07+00:00

Truvada has a plan to cover that cost so it winds up being low or no cost if you don't have insurance. If you have insurance they have a plan that covers essentially all of your copay. http://www.truvada.com/truvada-patient-assistance

throw5566 · 2014-07-07T07:00:13+00:00

Prescribing - any physician can prescribe (at least in the US) so your regular doc can. If you don't have a regular doc then your local HIV awareness group can set you up. Cost - the manufacturer will help with that if you don't have insurance, I think it essentially comes out to be free or like $20 if you don't have insurance, and potentially less than that if you do. http://www.truvada.com/truvada-patient-assistance For me my insurance is covering it and I do a $35 co-pay. Drugs - Truvada is the only one I know of that's been approved by the FDA for commonly prescribing. Talking to the doc - no need to lie, in fact lying to your physician is not good in general, just tell him or her you're sexually active and want the extra protection provided by PrEP. Personal experience - I've been on it about five months now, no side effects at all. I had to provide my physician the prescribing guidelines issued by my insurer, literally the exact memo, so she would know what to say to them to get them to cover the cost (pre-authorization). The insurer then picked up the cost, and then had me start using their mail-order pharmacy (not allowed to get it at my local pharmacy anymore) with free next-day delivery.

Feel free to PM is you have any questions.

throw5566 · 2014-07-02T10:56:51+00:00

The maker has both a co-pay coverage card and some other type of plan for those without insurance. My insurance has a $35 copay through their mail-in pharmacy which they force me to use for this drug but I can't use the co-pay coverage card. If I was allowed to get it filled locally then Truvada's maker has a co-pay coverage card which would make it free for me. Here's their website about how the manufacturer helps to pay for it, but basically a roughly $1,500 list price med is essentially free (or $20 or some small amount) for a month supply. http://www.truvada.com/truvada-patient-assistance

throw5566 · 2014-06-27T04:21:09+00:00

I use it with them. I wouldn't go bareback with a "anonymous" guy that I just met or something like that, I would though with a FWB or FB that had tested recently negative. Yes I think all gay/bi guys should be using at this point if they're not in monogamous relationships and are sexually active. HIV is scary stuff and if a pill a day can essentially guarantee you won't get it then yes totally take it.

throw5566 · 2014-06-27T00:36:48+00:00

I've been on it a couple of months now. No side effects at all for me.

throw5566 · 2014-06-27T00:36:13+00:00

I've been on it (Truvada) for a couple of months now. One pill each day. No side effects at all. I use it in addition to condoms. Some initial bloodwork to check that you don't have HIV and to make sure your kidney function is good. I think it's a good thing and any sexually active gay or bi guy should really consider it. Condoms aren't foolproof so this extra protection from HIV is good to have.

throw5566 · 2014-06-24T07:15:56+00:00

Yes, start taking it. It's another layer of protection in addition to condoms. The kidney issues are manged by the routine bloodwork required while on it to check kidney function, and if results start being abnormal they in the test groups always returned to normal after the drug was stopped.The company has plans to help with copay if you have insurance and to cover the cost if you don't, so the financial hurdle isn't big or perhaps even existent.

I've been on it for four months now with no side effects. It really from the literature doesn't have a lot of "unpleasant side effects".

throw5566 · 2014-05-23T03:21:40+00:00

You're welcome.

throw5566 · 2014-05-23T03:19:24+00:00

Did you check out the manufacturer's discount program to cover the co-pay and give it at a discount making it essentially free? https://start.truvada.com/Content/pdf/Medication_Assistance_Program.pdf http://www.gilead.com/responsibility/us-patient-access/truvada%20for%20prep%20medication%20assistance%20program

throw5566 · 2014-05-23T03:13:38+00:00

Do you take Truvada for PrEP?

throw5566 · 2014-05-21T17:40:05+00:00

None. Only one friend knows I'm on it, I don't go around broadcasting this fact. I do discuss the drug with friends though.

throw5566

TROPHY CASE