Is your doc pushing PrEP on you?

RocketSurgeon's Avatar
For the past year or so, my doctor has been encouraging me to consider PrEP (the med you take daily to prevent HIV infection). I've declined and explained to her that don't consider myself to be that high risk, and it's probably not worth it considering the side effects, increased lab work, and costs.

I have a half dozen partners, unprotected, all hetero, and none of them are pro SWers. I suspect that only 2-3 of them likely have multiple partners.

Anybody using PrEP? Thoughts on the risks, benefits, cost, hassles?
Ripmany's Avatar
Never seen a Doctor in many years, I don't do drugs and I thought conversation about drugs on this board would get you points.
RocketSurgeon's Avatar
Never seen a Doctor in many years, I don't do drugs and I thought conversation about drugs on this board would get you points. Originally Posted by Ripmany
You should actually read the forum guidelines. In particular, #14, #15, and #21. Keyword: "illegal".

https://www.eccie.net/announcement.php?f=5
Ripmany's Avatar
I still recommend don't tell you doctor about things plead the 5. Going to a doctor is good way to end up in mental hospital.
RocketSurgeon's Avatar
I still recommend don't tell you doctor about things plead the 5. Going to a doctor is good way to end up in mental hospital. Originally Posted by Ripmany
You have a good point. If a doctor knows about a person's sexual activity details, and the person is active with more than one partner, the doctor will list "High risk sexual behavior" in the individual's health record, and that info gets shared with health insurance companies (and Chinese hackers). This is factual, and not just speculation.
Brooke Wilde's Avatar
I take it. I don't like it because the pill is rather large.

Also, I'm not really sure if it is worth it though because I have had great success with condoms over the years.

The reason I question if it is worth it is because the pharmacy bills my insurance $2,220 for a 30-day supply & I wonder if the high cost may make my insurance company drop me or raise my rates.

If you are regularly sleeping with 6 women unprotected at any given time, you should absolutely be on it.
RocketSurgeon's Avatar
I take it. I don't like it because the pill is rather large.

Also, I'm not really sure if it is worth it though because I have had great success with condoms over the years.

The reason I question if it is worth it is because the pharmacy bills my insurance $2,220 for a 30-day supply & I wonder if the high cost may make my insurance company drop me or raise my rates.

If you are regularly sleeping with 6 women unprotected at any given time, you should absolutely be on it. Originally Posted by Brooke Wilde
Thanks for the input. That monthly insurance charge explains at least in part why my doctor keeps pushing it.

After my (all negative) test results last week, I decided to just get rid of 5 of them and stick with (the least broken and PITA) one for the time being. I'm about done with the hobby completely, and have only been doing SBs for years now. When this SB fucks it up, and they all do eventually, I'll likely retire.

FWIW, in my experience, the SBs are an equal or greater risk for STDs than pro SWers (who uses condoms with most/all partners and clients).