Trying to get a blogger to go on PrEP

[JockTalk]

Yep, definitely a shill. They don't think about HIV. They don't think about anything. That's the point. They're not using shit. And marketing truvada without putting the accent on that it does fuck all for everything else out there is a blatant marketing tactic and clearly nor focused on sti's and health.

I think we need many weapons in our arsenal against HIV. You might be surprised to know that I am not on Truvada. My weapon of choice? Abstinence. I rarely have sex, perhaps once every few years if that. And when I do it's pretty safe (read: no anal or oral). However, this is my own personal decision.

 

[Soilwork]

Exactly. Is there a gay American male alive that doesn't know what PrEP is? Seriously, it's everywhere. It's like a woman pretending she's never heard of birth control pills.

I'm constantly amazed with how few people know it exists. Straight people have no idea and even a lot of gay people who don't live in major cities haven't heard of it.

 

[refujiunderground]

Man... you'd think that with all the stds out there that folks would think twice. Is sex really something to die over though? And it's not like dudes are trying to find just one person to do it with on a constant basis with either. They're fucking multiple dudes and not getting tested unless they think they caught something.


Really don't understand this self destructive mentality. It just seems dehumanizing and defeating. If someone doesn't give a fuck and wants to wipe themselves out, they need to keep that shit to themselves. Theres way too many gay dudes that want to share pain and misery instead of love and happiness with each other. That has to stop.

 

[alphacentauri]

I quoted it exactly as it is at this person's blog.

I mean, I feel bad that there is a drug that would protect this guy. I hope he's not out to infect others; maybe he did convert.

I am not a Truvada rep, but for those guys who just wanna go out and have unprotected sex, then they should be on it! In tests it's shown to be better then condoms at preventing HIV transmission BUT it IS expensive and it DOES come with side effects.

Yes it does have side effects. I have seen people who supposedly take it post on the internet how they claim it does not have side effects; but that's wishful thinking on their part.

http://www.rxlist.com/truvada-side-effects-drug-center.htm

 

[JockTalk]

Yes it does have side effects. I have seen people who supposedly take it post on the internet how they claim it does not have side effects; but that's wishful thinking on their part.

http://www.rxlist.com/truvada-side-effects-drug-center.htm

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, joint pain, trouble sleeping, back pain, or change in the color of skin on your palms or soles of your feet.

Hmmmm . . . these seem to be the same side effects posted with almost every new drug advertised on TV! What are the side effects of contracting HIV -- mental and physical -- and potentially spreading it?

I think gay men who eschew condom use and/or abstinence should SERIOUSLY think about going on this anti-HIV medication.

 

[luckynumbah7]

If they're not going to spend fifteen bucks on a box of condoms, what in hell's name makes you think they'll spend hundreds a month for a pill?

 

[alphacentauri]

Hmmmm . . . these seem to be the same side effects posted with almost every new drug advertised on TV! What are the side effects of contracting HIV -- mental and physical -- and potentially spreading it?

I think gay men who eschew condom use and/or abstinence should SERIOUSLY think about going on this anti-HIV medication.

Why do you think gay and bi men who are not abstinent, and sexually active; but use condoms should take this medication? I personally will never take it as condoms do not have horrible side effects like loss of bone density, and liver damage and the rest. Plus condoms are not nearly as expensive as this toxic medication is.

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-91482/truvada-oral/details/list-sideeffects

Common side effects of Truvada:

Chest PainSevere
Abnormal DreamsLess Severe
Abnormal Fat Distribution associated with HIVLess Severe
Chronic Trouble SleepingLess Severe
DepressionLess Severe
DiarrheaLess Severe
DizzyLess Severe
Head PainLess Severe
Low EnergyLess Severe
Infrequent side effects of Truvada:

Acute Inflammation of the PancreasSevere
Fanconi's SyndromeSevere
Kidney DiseaseSevere
Low Amount of Phosphate in the BloodSevere
Reaction due to an AllergySevere
Trouble BreathingSevere
Discolored Spots and Small Elevations of the SkinLess Severe
DrowsinessLess Severe
Feel Like Throwing UpLess Severe
Feeling WeakLess Severe
GasLess Severe
HivesLess Severe
Inflammation of the Skin with BlistersLess Severe
ItchingLess Severe
Loss of AppetiteLess Severe
RashLess Severe
Sinus Irritation and CongestionLess Severe
Stomach CrampsLess Severe
Throat IrritationLess Severe
Throwing UpLess Severe
Rare side effects of Truvada:

Acute Kidney DiseaseSevere
Decreased Calcification or Density of BoneSevere
Disease of the NervesSevere
Enlarged Fatty LiverSevere
Giant HivesSevere
Hepatitis caused by DrugsSevere
Increased Blood Acidity due to High Levels of Lactic AcidSevere
Kidney FailureSevere
Low Amount of Potassium in the BloodSevere
Numbness and TinglingSevere
Numbness, Tingling or Pain of Hands or FeetSevere
PneumoniaSevere
Serious Muscle Damage that may Lead to Kidney FailureSevere
Softening of BonesSevere
BackacheLess Severe
CoughLess Severe
Excessive SweatingLess Severe
FeverLess Severe
IndigestionLess Severe
Inflammation of the NoseLess Severe
Joint PainLess Severe
Muscle PainLess Severe
Muscle ProblemsLess Severe
Muscle WeaknessLess Severe
NightmaresLess Severe
PainLess Severe
Weight LossLess Severe

 

[gsdx]

If they're not going to spend fifteen bucks on a box of condoms, what in hell's name makes you think they'll spend hundreds a month for a pill?

A box of Saran Wrap is a lot cheaper, and it's quite likely that it can be found in virtually every household... and it lasts for months and months.

 

[luckynumbah7]

A box of Saran Wrap is a lot cheaper, and it's quite likely that it can be found in virtually every household... and it lasts for months and months.

They won't read the fine print, snatch the microwaveable kind and then claim it's still too awkward without actually trying it.

Tip, do not buy microwaveable Saran Wrap, it defeats the purpose. In case someone is going to try that route.

I'm not sure it would work as a condom, however.

 

[gsdx]

I'm not sure it would work as a condom, however.

There was a song when I was a teen by a group called The Brothers-In-Law. The song was called 'Put All Your Faith in the Pill'. There was one verse in it which went:

"So throw out your old fashioned methods
As you joyfully leap into bed.
You can take your saran wrap
Back into the kitchen
And use it for cooking instead."

I used to have the album, but this is the only song on it that I can remember. Here's the recording if you're curious.

 

[luckynumbah7]

There was a song when I was a teen by a group called The Brothers-In-Law. The song was called 'Put All Your Faith in the Pill'. There was one verse in it which went:

"So throw out your old fashioned methods
As you joyfully leap into bed.
You can take your saran wrap
Back into the kitchen
And use it for cooking instead."

I used to have the album, but this is the only song on it that I can remember. Here's the recording if you're curious.

Oooooh, I was referring to Saran Wrap as a barrier. It's thinner than dental dams, works the same way, easier to get a large enough piece, easier to find/buy and a hell of a lot more sensitive to use

-ha, reminds me of Tom Lehrer

 

[luckynumbah7]

Excellent band, thanks for bringing them up!

 

[JockTalk]

If they're not going to spend fifteen bucks on a box of condoms, what in hell's name makes you think they'll spend hundreds a month for a pill?

Obviously, one would need to have good health insurance since a year's worth is $10,000. But here's the interesting aspect. If one is intermittently having unprotected sex, one can take it the given time needed pre and post sex. That's very convenient. So if I was really sexually active one month but not the other 11 I believe I only need to be on it that month. I believe this is correct.

The argument against PrEP's use is like saying, "Well, we have condoms so women should not be on the pill. Everyone should just use condoms."

Freedom is the ability of one to make and have choices -- not just the prescribed choice right for someone else!

And I said guys who ESCHEW condom use or abstinence might want to give Truvada a look, not guys who USE condoms . . . .

 

[luckynumbah7]

- - - Updated - - -

....The pill is to protect against pregnancy. It does one job and only one job. Condoms do more than one job. Prep, however, does one job, and it's one a condom already did just fine. And at $10,000, extra, in your example, than what a condom costs. With the side affects, some of them rather nasty.

And what are you going to do, carry that pill around in your wallet where your condom used to be?

Don't bother pretending it's akin to female birth control, I know more about that one than you do. You should've stuck with trying to talk up percentages.

-also, that previous posting wasn't an actual question to you. It was more of an 'incredulous disgust' post about ....everything you write, actually.

 

[JockTalk]

- - - Updated - - -

....The pill is to protect against pregnancy. It does one job and only one job. Condoms do more than one job. Prep, however, does one job, and it's one a condom already did just fine. And at $10,000, extra, in your example, than what a condom costs. With the side affects, some of them rather nasty.

And what are you going to do, carry that pill around in your wallet where your condom used to be?

Don't bother pretending it's akin to female birth control, I know more about that one than you do. You should've stuck with trying to talk up percentages.

-also, that previous posting wasn't an actual question to you. It was more of an 'incredulous disgust' post about ....everything you write, actually.

As I noted, the matter is one of CHOICE. In your totalitarian regime, everyone would use condoms but like the issues surrounding the pill, it's very personal.

Perhaps you should ask yourself why your mind is so closed and absolute on the subject.

 

[luckynumbah7]

Look at it this way - if they were actually going to take it, or were even likely to take it, they would have already developed a habit to have some sort of safer sex. A condom is literally the least you can do, the cheapest alternative of anything available besides abstinence or a faux medical exam (get creative with the rest of the shit, why not). And the gloves + lube is actually more expensive than the condoms!

So, guess what they haven't done.

I'll even give you three guesses......

First two don't count.

Because what it sounds like is you practicing a hard sell. And doing it badly, because most don't try and argue that
- ten thou is possible
- side effects that you claimed didn't exist are actually pretty damn long and rather nasty
-pretending that someone who refused to previously lift a finger is going to remember a tiny pill. there's no habit there, you need to tackle the problem with multiple methods

-which you ain't doing, you slippery little fellow, you.

 

[JockTalk]

Look at it this way - if they were actually going to take it, or were even likely to take it, they would have already developed a habit to have some sort of safer sex. A condom is literally the least you can do, the cheapest alternative of anything available besides abstinence or a faux medical exam (get creative with the rest of the shit, why not). And the gloves + lube is actually more expensive than the condoms!

So, guess what they haven't done.

I'll even give you three guesses......

First two don't count.

Because what it sounds like is you practicing a hard sell. And doing it badly, because most don't try and argue that
- ten thou is possible
- side effects that you claimed didn't exist are actually pretty damn long and rather nasty
-pretending that someone who refused to previously lift a finger is going to remember a tiny pill. there's no habit there, you need to tackle the problem with multiple methods

-which you ain't doing, you slippery little fellow, you.

Seriously, dude? Instead of asking me all of these inane questions based upon YOUR personal beliefs, why don't you try to get into the heads of men who have unprotected sex? From what I see, they want to have sex unencumbered by an artificial protectant. Many want to ingestion cum or have it up their bum. If Truvada became more widely available, I think many would consider it. I certainly would because no matter how effective condoms are, I DO wonder about HIV transmission by oral means. As such, something like Truvada would be ideal. From my own standpoint, condoms don't provide enough peace of mind.

 

[mbamike]

You can not get this blogger to do anything. All you can do is advise him, provide him with information about Truvada, and explain how it is beneficial for him to take this medication. Ultimately, it is his decision. Who knows, he maybe a bug chaser.

@ luckynumbah7 I'm taking Truvada (prEP) every night before I go to bed ( One pill a day is the dosage). I am not experiencing any side effects. It's not costing me a cent.

Since I started taking Truvada, I don't worry about getting HIV as much anymore. I'have more peace of mind and enjoying sex more. So for me, I'm glad I made the decision to take this medication.

 

[luckynumbah7]

How are you not getting charged for meds? Not a cent sounds awfully cheap for meds. Mine have a co-pay and mine are, for lack of better phrasing, mandatory.

I did 'run in' to someone that takes them the night before but never got around to asking individual affordability.
Glad you like the medication. But jock wasn't marketing to you in the post, he seems to be aiming for the 'Better than Nothing' school of thought since that's who he references when he posts. It's not "this could help" but "this could help if that guy would only use it! He's the perfect demographic, they should love this medication! Which he won't use it because Things, how do I get him to take it." Someone else asked why he would want to take the medication, 'extra insurance' seems to be the answer.

Except 'extra' means you need to have been doing something in the first place. Op's example wasn't, ect ect ad infinitum.

There's also that most pills you have to take on schedule, something humanity is notoriously Crap at doing. If that's the only thing people are relying on it doesn't work well. As evidenced by the 'How the hell did I get pregnant" crowd back when I associated with more straight people. That one is personally worrying since people seem to think a pill isn't subject to human foibles.

 

[JohnnyAnger]

There was a song when I was a teen by a group called The Brothers-In-Law. The song was called 'Put All Your Faith in the Pill'. There was one verse in it which went:

"So throw out your old fashioned methods
As you joyfully leap into bed.
You can take your saran wrap
Back into the kitchen
And use it for cooking instead."

I used to have the album, but this is the only song on it that I can remember. Here's the recording if you're curious.

Here is another song about saren wraps secondary use.

Rip it off, wrap it up, stick it in.