You don't need PEP. STOP taking it and MOVE ON with your LIFE.
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It's Zidovudine and Truvada for the initial 5 days, followed by Tenofovir
once daily, Lamivudine twice daily, and Zidovudine twice daily for days 5-28. The doc said Tenofovir and Lamivudine replace the Truvada since the hospital doesn't prescribe it for their PEP program. They mention that most people can't handle the AZT and instead rely on the Lamivudine and the Tenofovir for adequate results.
In the context of your question, I meant permanent effects. Not sure why you were given AZT for PEP anyway.
Except a whole lot of nausea and vomiting. ;)
If anyone needs a show to watch to calm down-- Hot in Cleveland on Netflix is hilarious. Cheers and good luck to all. x
I can't imagine taking AZT for three days would lead to anything.
Will do.
I realize I've been looking up everything online instead of listening to the specialists I'm dealing with- experts in infectious diseases, MSM, etc. in New York City (where I live). If I trust folks online over some of the best experts in the country, let alone double check their advice, I must have a few screws loose. What do you think of all of the people who write online and claim oral sex was the only activity they engaged in? Most of them they also say they had protected anal sex. It must have been a condom break, but of course it's quite hard to say. Seems the general information experts here and elsewhere give is to talk to your own doc about your own situation. A lot of info available online is generalizations that can't be tailored to a specific incident.
I've looked up Arrested Development and have begun to enjoy myself nicely instead of wondering if something else happened I can't remember (it didnt). One last question-- how long for the effects of AZT to ware off? If I took it for 3 days, do you think there are any consequences? I know that most docs say healthy folks usually dont have any serious issues because it's only 28 days. I understand meds are no walk in the park, but I've felt "unwell" and wonder if that compounded with my anxiety has made the effects worse.
Stay off the internet. Well, I know that is hard. But try to refrain from googling HIV and visiting HIV forums. Try to keep yourself distracted with something else. Pursue a new TV series perhaps. Find something that you have been meaning to watch and buy it on Amazon. Anything to take your mind off of this.
Joggen,
Thanks for your candid response. My doctor told me to stop taking the AZT if I wanted to. He thinks I'm insane anyway (which makes me wonder why he is even letting me do this) but from a rational, logical viewpoint, I agree with you and will return the med to the pharmacy tomorrow.
I've already set up an appointment with my therapist. My justifications for the medication has no basis in reality.Do you have any tips or coping strategies until then?
You need PEP like you need a hole in your head. You are just putting yourself at risk for serious side effects, like liver or kidney damage. The purpose of PEP is not for psychological assurance for people who have anxiety disorders. It was developed for people who have HIGH risk exposures. Taking PEP in your situation is an abuse of the healthcare system.
Thanks for your response.
I finished day two of my PEP and am feeling dizzy and nauseated as it is. Hoping that the risks in taking it outweigh the costs of later regret for not... Thanks again.
You never had a risk, don't need PEP, and don't need to test. Continue to work with your therapist.