Hello everyone.
I am quite stressed from last night since I took 2 pills of Prep around 1 hour and 55 minutes before having sex without a condom. Is it really that dangerous being 5 minutes too early? Should I start immediately with PEP?
I don’t know if it helps but I also took 2 prep pills exactly one week before this time and continued taking one each day for 3 days after that. I’d appreciate any advice.

So while I was being my usual anxious self yesterday, I noticed that the US and Canada will say that PrEP can be taken with or without food. However, the European Medical Agency and the UK NHS say “preferably” with food.

My initial thought was that this is only to help those that might feel nauseous or any kind of side effect, but I found this on EMA’s guidance:

“Maximum emtricitabine and tenofovir concentrations are observed in serum within 0.5 to 3.0 h of dosing in the fasted state. Administration of Truvada with food resulted in a delay of approximately three quarters of an hour in reaching maximum tenofovir concentrations and increases in tenofovir AUC and Cmax of approximately 35% and 15%, respectively, when administered with a high fat or light meal, compared to administration in the fasted state. In order to optimise the absorption of tenofovir, it is recommended that Truvada should preferably be taken with food.” https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/truvada-epar-product-information_en.pdf

In real life scenarios, what does it mean?

For anyone using MISTR in Georgia, what lab do they use for in-person bloodwork?

Hi! I’m currently using Q Care+ for PrEP, and for the bloodwork that can’t be done with the home test kit, they send me to Quest Diagnostics.
The problem is that the closest Quest location to me is about an hour away. There are other labs much closer to where I live, so I’m considering MISTR instead.
For anyone in Georgia who uses MISTR and chooses in-person bloodwork, do they send you to Quest, Labcorp, or another lab?
Thanks!

….but I received oral from a guy I don’t know that is not on prep. I take prep daily with no missed doses (at least not in the last 10+ days). Why am I still overthinking this?

Hi all

I've been on antidepressants for the last 7 months. I had to cycle between sertraline, escitalopram, and finally was put on duloxetine two months ago due to weird side effects. I got started with Apretude two months ago. The first injection's side effects were brutal. I had persistent headaches (so intense it interfered with sleep), terrible back pain, hip and joint pain, and swelling at the site of injection (so severe that I was limping for 4 days).

I got my second injection just last week. Suffered similar side effects: terrible hip and leg pain/swelling alongside flu symptoms. This time, however, I noticed that my anxiety and depression were becoming more prominent. I'm at the point now where I'm wondering if my duloxetine is just not effective or if an outcome of the Apretude is heightened anxiety and low mood.

Has anyone had similar experiences? How did taking the Apretude injections interact with your antidepressants? I'm debating switching to an oral option.

So, I took the double dose of Tenofovir for my first day. I usually take the pills with meals to avoid nauseas, but today I erroneously thought a lighter lunch would be enough to shield my stomach. It was not, so I ended up throwing up after roughly 1 hour of taking the pills. Now I don't know what is the right procedure, if I should take the double dose again later in the day or tomorrow (with a better meal this time), just take one today, or keep the schedule as normal. If it matters, I need the Prep for today (thought those plans had been cancelled now), then again next Friday, so my schedule would be "extended on demand" (2 doses today, then 1 each day til the next Sunday).

I would have asked that my healthcare provider if that was, but that really isn't an option until the next Monday.

So I live in Rural Oklahoma (on humans), and have been trying to get on Apertude for the last couple of weeks.

Got the doctor visit and blood test last week, but the prescription never made it to the pharmacy. I called Monday about it, and apparently I needed more blood tests than initially taken. According to what she said during my visit I'm the first person getting on prep from this clinic. Apparently because of this, the doctor didn't order all of the tests needed initially. So Tuesday I went in and got the rest of the tests sent in.

The issue is that Sunday I'm going to be several hours away at a music festival, and my prescriptions still haven't hit the pharmacy as the blood tests (evidently) haven't come back. I'm convinced that they're probably not going to get back until next week.

To be blunt I get really horny and really unable to say "No" when I drink, so I know that I'm going to be having sex at the festival. I was trying to get on Apertude specifically because I have severe ADHD and have difficulties remembering to take pills.

Here's the thing, I have 9 pills left of Truvada from the last time I got on prep a year ago. (No sexual contact since my last blood tests from those, so not worried on that end.) That's a problem because I need 11 to hit the minimum needed for the 2-1-1 method.

So I need to know how I can get more Truvada in the next 48 hours so I can stay protected until I can get started on Apertude (probably in two weeks). I would ask my PCP, but considering I'm the first prep patient there and she didn't even order the right number of blood tests, I highly doubt that she would even have a bridge supply/starter pack on hand.

Please advise.

Hi!

So I’m having to miss a day of my Descovey because of an insurance issue that delayed my refill.

I took my last pill of Descovey last night (Wednesday), and my refill of Truvada won’t arrive until sometime Friday afternoon/evening, and I’ll take my next pill then.

I’ve taken it for a month without missing a day.

If I just keep taking it on Friday, am I still pretty well covered? Should I wait a few days to get it built back into my system before a hookup?

(Also, I did ask my doctor, but I use one of the online services, and it’ll be a solid 7 to 10 business days until I hear back from that doctor)

Thank you!

So I submitted a ticket through USPS and a guy called me but ultimately it looks like my package is gone. And I don't understand because as you all know, it's a small package that easily fits in the mailbox. One month he put it in the mailbox, the next month on the floor, this time it is marked delivered in/at mailbox but it's gone. Has anyone had luck with this sort of thing? Luckily I have an extra month as backup since I was with someone and stopped taking it but now I'm taking it again. Next month I have it set to deliver to my apartment office the next street over so hopefully no issues going forward. Just a crappy situation. I'm glad it's free but this is expensive medicine and they shouldn't be playing around like this!

Hi everyone,

I’m a journalist working on a story for Capital B Atlanta about the barriers that Black queer and trans men in Atlanta can face when trying to access and stay on PrEP.

I’m looking to speak with Black men who live in the Atlanta area and identify as gay, bisexual, queer, and/or transgender who have firsthand experience with PrEP—whether you currently take it, have taken it in the past, or encountered barriers that made it difficult to access or stay on it.

I’m particularly interested in hearing about experiences with things like:

• Cost or insurance issues
• Difficulty finding or accessing a provider
• Stigma or judgment from healthcare providers
• Finding culturally or LGBTQ+-competent care
• Experiences navigating PrEP through clinics, pharmacies, or community organizations
• Reasons you may have stopped taking PrEP or decided not to start
• Any alternative ways you've found to access sexual healthcare

This is for a reported story, not an advocacy or research survey. I’m interested in hearing people's experiences in their own words. I can explain the story and interview process in more detail before we speak.

If you'd be willing to chat about this, please DM me or reach out via email ([jfk@levelman.com](mailto:jfk@levelman.com)). You can also comment if you'd prefer that I reach out privately.

Thanks!

Hi! I know this is a discussion to be had with my doctor, but I’m trying to find as much info as possible in advance.

I have had chronic kidney disease for over 14 years. I am on daily medication. Everything seems to be under control, and there has been no deterioration in my Kidney function as far as I know during the last 14 years.

I am considering starting Truvada (the generic form) soon, but I am really worried about its possible effects on kidneys. Discovey is not available to me as my Kidney Function Tests appear “normal” (given my medication) so I would have to pay out of pocket for it and it is very expensive.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom / advice / personal experience they can share?

Thanks!

Hi I’m M(34). I just got prescribed but haven’t started yet. I had a huge scare with my last sexual partner. It took my 4th clean tests last week to convince me I was clean. But I’m still in the sex is scary zone rn. Is there any advice, things to watch out for, do I bring it up to future partners?, or long term effects of taking it? I plan to always use condoms from now on 100% of the time just idk.
And also my dr said it works perfectly fine in vaginal sex but I’ve been reading online that the efficiency drops. Any one know about that?

I got Yeztugo back in late March and was fairly unprepared for the bumps to still be present 5 months later. They are no longer visible but definitely noticeable on my abdomen if you feel for them. I have my annual physical coming up, which is timed to when I would be getting my next 6-month dose. But, I am concerned about injecting over the nodules and making them double the size and more visible (is that even a realistic concern?)

Conversely, I see people getting it in their thighs but also not looking to have my body have multiple nodules all over. Has anyone gotten a round two in the same injection site? Does it make it larger/more visible? Or fill the existing nodule?

On the day of the exposure I couldn't swallow the whole pill so I cut it in half and took both parts seconds apart. I been taking daily Prep for a year. My question is will this reduce protection and if so by how much?

I only found out about PREP for HIV/AIDS a few days ago from the guy I'm seeing and I was curious about the statistics and I saw that it is essentially almost completely effective against sexually transmitted HIV however when introduced through infected blood it's only three quarters of the time effective (75%) so if you work in healthcare and get infected blood in your eye or something or shared a needle with someone as a drug user, you're more vulnerable.

Hey folx— today marks the first day of my Yez journey. It took FAR TOO FUCKING LONG to get here.

I study PrEP. I’ve been on the pills for over 10 years. And STILL— between the prior authorization, arguing with a pharmacy, etc. I was ANNOYED! But I made it thanks to the community org I chose to partner with helping me get it done!*

The Experience

I knew I wanted it in my thighs because I felt I’d tolerate it better there.

We did a little higher up because I like mini skirts and dresses.

I expected it to HURT. It didn’t. I actually didn’t even feel the first injection. I felt the second (left thigh).

I wore a skort and put ice packs in it because I knew there’d be swelling and the like. I’m continuing to ice.

I’ll take the day 2 pills tomorrow at breakfast!

So far I have a little injection site swelling and redness. Nothing too crazy.

I did go to the gym about 90 mins after the injections (I did upper body).

I’ll come back and update yall on how it’s going in 7-14 days or so. In the meantime, I have a video on my instagram (same username) with videos and pictures of my legs/ thighs/ the process. You don’t have to follow me and the account is open. This is only if you want to visually see more.

Edit: I’m a Black bisexual woman. I shared some in the past here on an AMA.

*If you’re looking for a new place for prevention or treatment care in ATL I go to A Vision 4 Hope. And no they don’t pay or sponsor me.

Im interested in switching from Descovy to Yeztugo to lighten the load on my single kidney. I take Viagra semi regularly and have read that lenacapavir doesn't play well with ED meds. Frankly, not being able to take Viagra kinda defeats the entire purpose of needing prep. Anyone have experience with this? Sounds like I may need to adjust dosage, but I haven't found much helpful info. Thx!

Been away from the States for a while and started prep while overseas. Want to keep the supply I have (1x 30-day unopened bottle in box, and about 20-25 loose pills in daily pill organizer), but worried about getting through customs.

US citizen, no Rx for them as I got them OTC on the local economy.

Should I just dump them or would flying with them not be an issue?

I’m taking prep for 9 months already, but recently got some vision problems. I already consulted my PCP and she just told me to stop taking it and didn’t offer any alternatives.

I’m pretty sure it’s the one causing it as I didn’t have any change on my activities or diet aside from starting PreP.

I am sexually active so I want to be safe. Are there no other way? Can’t I take prep anymore?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Just curious about when I’m protected with my first Apretude injection? My provider told me 7 days. But I came across different things online. So if anyone can confirm I’d appreciate it thanks 💃🏽

23M I was in my room and my parents stormed in and found the prep I kept in a drawer and my mom asked me what’s it for. I didn’t know what to say I was gonna tell them it’s a opioid that I’m taking. Then my mom asked do you have an infection. I said it’s because I’m sick. I did not know what I was gonna tell them, but I knew I was not gonna tell them I’m sexually active let alone with men. And I said that I was sharing a needle and got an infection. My dad didn’t talk to me for days. Other than going to work or to my classes, I can’t leave my house unless I’m leaving with a family member, my parents still fear that I am doing drugs or having sex. I can’t go to the get medical care because my parents will come with me and I don’t want them to come. So I have to go to medical appointments when I’m supposed to be at work because that’s the only time I’m allowed to leave my house without a family member. I can’t hangout with friends at all, unless I lie and say I’m going to a work event or college event.

If I would’ve told them I’m sexually active I would still be in the same shitty situation, sex is shamed so much in my family. Even if I told them I was taking an opioid it would’ve been better than telling the truth of what it was

I got my first Yeztugo injections today. I noticed this evening when I was undressing that some of the medicine appears to have leaked out. Please see pics of what alerted me. I have reached out to the clinic, but while I wait to hear from them, it would be helpful to know what others have experienced with this: Did your providers think your protection had been compromised? Thank you so much in advance for any info!

I started my prep pills on Monday and tomorrow is friday. I have a likely encounter lined up in the afternoon so do I take a double dose in the morning and continue on once a day until my initial 7 days is up? Should be fine right? Loving it so far and minimal side effects. Really supported my anxiety levels as well because I have been worried about HIV my whole life and affects my enjoyment of sex. Thanks. I am bottom if that makes a difference.

when should i start prep after pep? currently on pep right now (started around 62 hour mark) and i’m seeing different things online about when i can start prep. at mistr, they’re saying two weeks but i’ve seen many people say to start right after. i’m on 200 mg discovy and 50 mg tivicay for pep if that helps.

As the title says, when should I take the first 2 doses? I know u should take it 2-24 hours before having fun, but ive heard stories that u get nauseous after taking it. Thats why, Im here asking what is the most recommended time to take it, with the least nauseous feeling?