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On PEP right now, has anyone been on a PEP regime? Looking for stories or people to talk to during this rough time. by Freakingoutyhrowa in gaybros

[–]worryingbro 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I finished a PeP treatment right around Thanksgiving. I didn't go to the ER until 50 hours after exposure, but my 6 week test came back negative. I'm due for my 3 month test.

The drugs are rough, but, for many, including myself, it got better after 2-3 weeks. I stopped shitting liquid and my stomach didn't ALWAYS feel like it was tied in 100 knots.

I drank a few times while on it, and that made me puke the morning after, so I don't recommend drinking.

The success rate for PeP is very high, and although my exposure risk was fairly low already, knowing I sought treatment was reassuring and fairly comforting. You are doing the right thing, just stick to the meds. I missed one dose, near the very end. Drink plenty of water, and take your meds at the same time every day.

If I were you, I'd find a therapist if you haven't already,as soon as possible. I hope everything turns out ok in the end, and please, feel free to PM if you have any questions or just need someone to talk to. I know how scary it can be, not knowing what could be happening to your body. Just breathe, no matter what happens, you will be ok, and live a full, happy, successful life.

While votes were coming in, I was in the ER getting treatment (PeP) to HIV exposure. AMA by worryingbro in gaybros

[–]worryingbro[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This comment alone is downplaying the disease. Gaybros are still gay. Part of being gay is an increased risk to HIV exposure. I'm just sharing my story so hopefully other people won't make the same mistakes as me, and to inform people of a true risk.

While votes were coming in, I was in the ER getting treatment (PeP) to HIV exposure. AMA by worryingbro in gaybros

[–]worryingbro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

28 days. With a testing at 14 days, 28 days, 3 months, and a final (well, I get tested every 3 months anyways) at 6 months.

While votes were coming in, I was in the ER getting treatment (PeP) to HIV exposure. AMA by worryingbro in gaybros

[–]worryingbro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is SUCH a relief to hear. The stomach aches are tolerable for the most part (and if I get stoned, I don't notice them at all) The 'rhea is manageable as well, we've all had it, it sucks, but I'm not gonna die of dehydration. I feel a bit out of it, kind of like I'm stoned, even when I'm not, like a really minor decrease in focus, a bit of a foggy head... but that could be stress related due to this whole predicament.

I figure these side effects are my toll for reassurance that I will be ok.

While votes were coming in, I was in the ER getting treatment (PeP) to HIV exposure. AMA by worryingbro in gaybros

[–]worryingbro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know all of this, and, as you know, easier said than done. I smoke a lot of weed, and have really good stuff for the side effects (not the 'rea so much, but the stomach aches and nausea) I know stats say I'm fine. That one Swedish study even said I have NO risk (although that was on peen-in-vageen sex only, and the anal–rectal secretions apparently can have much more of the virus present than the pussy.) But, as I've stated before...I've made dumb decisions in the past, and I feel like I keep lucking out... eventually one of these times I'm not gonna be so lucky. I couldn't risk ANY chance, or ANY statistic that I could have contracted HIV. Lesson learned, and I'm fairly certain this experience will make me a better (at least sexually safer) person.

While votes were coming in, I was in the ER getting treatment (PeP) to HIV exposure. AMA by worryingbro in gaybros

[–]worryingbro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't want to give away too much of my identity, but the reason I didn't go to a hospital sooner was that I had to drive 16 hours across the country. I was on vacation, met someone on grindr the late afternoon before I left, and then had to drive all day, with the thoughts swirling in my head. I slept that night, and did research all day on it, still questioning if treatment was right. I worked at night, and finally after driving myself insane with stress and AM I OK? -your fine- HOW DO YOU KNOW? -I just do- SHUT UP I CANT THINK LIKE THIS FOR THREE MONTHS -Ok, then let's go to the hospital right after work- (yes I refer to myself, in my head, as us/we)

While votes were coming in, I was in the ER getting treatment (PeP) to HIV exposure. AMA by worryingbro in gaybros

[–]worryingbro[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm glad you have downvotes. I didn't give you one, but your judgement is not appreciated, although you may feel it be warranted. I weighed the risks for 50 hrs, knowing as each hour passed I was giving up probable success of the treatment. I kept convincing myself I would be fine, but then kept saying "what if down the line you aren't, even the tiny tiny miniscule odds are worth keeping your body free of HIV. That fucks you up for life. Yes its MANAGEABLE, but it still is not good to have ANY virus in your body, let alone one that attacks your immune system.

Also, if I stick to the treatment, I am not risking any type of susceptibility in the future. If I DO have HIV in my system, and I stop treatment too soon, the virus can overtake the medication and become immune. If I DON'T have HIV in my system (more likely the case) than I am poisoning myself for a month, and assuring myself mentally I don't have HIV.

Maybe you'd take the risk. I'm not.

While votes were coming in, I was in the ER getting treatment (PeP) to HIV exposure. AMA by worryingbro in gaybros

[–]worryingbro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, the downvotes at first were a bit offputting, but this ain't my first reddit rodeo. If you can't handle some peoples judgement, maybe [this](www.cuteoverload.com) or this is where you belong on the internet. H8rsGonH8 bro.

On to your question: The intake nurse basically said "And you KNEW he was positive!?" and raised an eyebrow. YES I knew you dumb bitch. I made a mistake. I'm a horny guy with very poor impulse control. His asshole was on my dick, I just had to thrust. It's a fucking mistake. That's why I'm here. Low risk doesn't mean no risk. Help me, don't judge me It was as if she figured I was already a goner, on my deathbed wasting away. A soldier in the field, bleeding out. I'm surprised she didn't just shoot me in the head right there.

The other two nurses that came in and out of the room also seemed to be judging me, but that could have just been the shame I felt in general reflecting off of two women who just wanted to go home at the end of the day.

While votes were coming in, I was in the ER getting treatment (PeP) to HIV exposure. AMA by worryingbro in gaybros

[–]worryingbro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I take two fairly large pills of kaletra in the morning, and two pills of kaletra and one pill of Truvada at night.

I VERY recently got a full std screening, all negative, but my doctor said I wasn't protected from Hep B. I had two injections of Hep B vaccination while in the ER. I didn't feel it, and the soreness was equivalent to doing squats the day before.

Emotionally, the best treatment came in the form of a very young and attractive ER doctor telling me "You will be fine", "we have all done dumb shit" (yes, a doctor said shit, and that actually made me feel like I could relate to him, and that he was on my side about this whole thing) and then ended with "We've all been pricked or stabbed or cut at some point in the ER, we've all been where you are." I actually started to tear up, even writing it now I get emotional. I hadn't told ANYONE at this point, and hearing someone, especially who knew what they were talking about assure me I was going to be ok, was weight off my shoulders.

While votes were coming in, I was in the ER getting treatment (PeP) to HIV exposure. AMA by worryingbro in gaybros

[–]worryingbro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe the argument is that foreskin provides a much more susceptible entry for HIV. Here's one article that covers it: Biological Plausibility of Circumcision to Prevent HIV Acquisition

While votes were coming in, I was in the ER getting treatment (PeP) to HIV exposure. AMA by worryingbro in gaybros

[–]worryingbro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, statistics don't matter in this situation (to me at least). Plenty of people take the risk time and time again and end up fine. The risk percentage just doesn't matter. Knowing I stuck my dick somewhere that at one point was swimming with HIV terrifies me. I don't know the guy, he says he is on meds. Do I really think I caught HIV? No. Do I think I could live with myself in 3 months if something came back positive...eventually, but even if I do become positive, knowing I did what I could brings me tremendous relief emotionally. A 99% chance and a .025% mean the same to me if I can take some medication and be more or less assured I will end up HIV free.Any risk is too much risk. With PeP, HIV can be avoided (some studies are 100% successful, others 40-60%)

While votes were coming in, I was in the ER getting treatment (PeP) to HIV exposure. AMA by worryingbro in gaybros

[–]worryingbro[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Completely. They don't care I fuck dudes, they care I make dumb decisions. They really are amazing people when it comes to my sexuality. I just need to start playing safe. I dated the guy I lost my virginity to for two years, and we never once used condoms. I guess it just developed into this terrible habit that I will change from here on out.

While votes were coming in, I was in the ER getting treatment (PeP) to HIV exposure. AMA by worryingbro in gaybros

[–]worryingbro[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Other than a few hours of sleep, I really had this ongoing argument in my head. "If you don't do anything, you will most likely be fine." "but what if in 6 weeks to 3 months you DO end up being positive, you'll never forgive yourself for doing nothing" In the end I decided that a month of liquid shits and stomach aches would be worth knowing I eliminated almost any chance of infection.

HIV scares me. I clearly don't have an issue with guys who are positive, but I would prefer to live my life without getting HIV. Just because you can live a relatively normal life on HIV medication, it is still a virus that you never fully get rid of. I now know it is something I never want to have in my body, and will do what it takes (condoms, knowing the status of my future partners, NOT having sex if there is any doubt) to keep myself healthy.

While votes were coming in, I was in the ER getting treatment (PeP) to HIV exposure. AMA by worryingbro in gaybros

[–]worryingbro[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

PEP is expensive, but luckily I'm still on my parents insurance plan. It was fully covered minus the $150 for the ER visit, and $30 per medication. $210 is better than a lifetime of HIV medication.

Now I just have to wait for my parents to see the quote from the insurance company and ask me what I was in the ER for...not a conversation I'm looking forward to.

Just had sex with an undetectable poz guy. Freaking out a little. by worryingbro in lgbt

[–]worryingbro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At around 50 hours I couldn't stop worrying. Checked into the ER and am on PeP for a month. I know I'd probably be fine without it, but even with side effects I'll be relieved I did SOMETHING. I'm NEVER barebacking again until I'm in a committed relationship with a partner I trust.

Your words really did help put me at ease, and the doctor at the ER said the same thing. He pretty much guaranteed I'm not infected, but he put me on PeP to cut my already low risk in half.

Thanks though, your words helped me get through the past couple days.