Aa
Second guessing PEP
I went to one of those massage parlors. It’s in the States. Upon insertion the condom broke. Completely failed. Head exposed. I immediately pulled out and so did she. She immediately wiped my penis down. Refused to continue having sex. My penis was inside after the failure for all of 3 seconds MAX. When it broke there were a real pop sound to it.
Anyway. I’m prediabetic and am reading about what Truvada does to blood sugar levels, and such, and I’m concerned. Probably more concerned about that than HIV. I had to go to two different ERs to get PEP. First one said that I should be worried about other things and not HIV. The second one didn’t care until I said she was a CSW.
Anyway, I’m feeling like not even continuing to take this and it’s only been one dose. But then ima be afraid until day 28 and I test. It’s like 1) I don’t know her status, 2) It was a second or two inside once condom failure. It’s like, at this moment I may be prediabetic and not have acquired HIV from this encounter… but if I take Truvada, it may push me over to diabetic. But then again, I would also be throwing away the gift of PEP within 24hrs.
I wish the doctor forums were still on. Anyway, someone help me. What’s the smartest thing to do?
Anyway. I’m prediabetic and am reading about what Truvada does to blood sugar levels, and such, and I’m concerned. Probably more concerned about that than HIV. I had to go to two different ERs to get PEP. First one said that I should be worried about other things and not HIV. The second one didn’t care until I said she was a CSW.
Anyway, I’m feeling like not even continuing to take this and it’s only been one dose. But then ima be afraid until day 28 and I test. It’s like 1) I don’t know her status, 2) It was a second or two inside once condom failure. It’s like, at this moment I may be prediabetic and not have acquired HIV from this encounter… but if I take Truvada, it may push me over to diabetic. But then again, I would also be throwing away the gift of PEP within 24hrs.
I wish the doctor forums were still on. Anyway, someone help me. What’s the smartest thing to do?
COMMUNITY LEADER
PEP is often reserved for cases where one partner is likely to be HIV+, and the risk was high. That is not the case for you. Any CSW who wants to use a condom is protecting themselves from you, not the other way around. Also, a few seconds of unprotected penetration is really not a risk - consider that, for a full-on session of unprotected vaginal sex with a known HIV+ partner, the risk is 0.04% to the male. In other words, a 99.96% chance of not contracting HIV.
Multiply this risk by the low chance that you encountered a person who is HIV+, since the vast majority of people are not, and you're looking at incredibly low odds.
I don't advise people who have had a legitimate risk event whether to take PEP or not, as that's a decision best left to the individual and their doctor, but if you asked me if I would take it in this situation? Absolutely not. The risk of side effects from the meds outweigh the risk by a longshot, for me.
Multiply this risk by the low chance that you encountered a person who is HIV+, since the vast majority of people are not, and you're looking at incredibly low odds.
I don't advise people who have had a legitimate risk event whether to take PEP or not, as that's a decision best left to the individual and their doctor, but if you asked me if I would take it in this situation? Absolutely not. The risk of side effects from the meds outweigh the risk by a longshot, for me.
7 Comments
I agree. I didn’t freak out initially as it was so short, and in the moment I was convinced all was well. It was only until I got home and began ruminating(a bad habit of mine) that I freaked myself out and decided to go to the doctor.
But I’m uninsured. I paid for a few days of meds, but for the rest I’m looking at $1,600+!
My only concern with PEP is the blood sugar spikes from Truvada. Perhaps you can point me towards a good board to ask about this.
But I’m uninsured. I paid for a few days of meds, but for the rest I’m looking at $1,600+!
My only concern with PEP is the blood sugar spikes from Truvada. Perhaps you can point me towards a good board to ask about this.
I don't really know what other advice you're looking for. No HIV specialists would recommend PEP for your situation.
When is the soonest I can test?
You have to wait until at least 28 days after your last dose of PEP.
There's an RNA test that you could take about 2 weeks post-PEP, but it's expensive, and can be hard to get (depending on where you live).
I was going to wait til 28 days out but this morning I awoke with a mild sore throat(redness in the back), a headache, some eyeball pain, and muscle aches in my neck. And I’ve coughed a few times but no phlegm. Not sure if this constitutes a “dry cough” or not.
Managed to find a place that would do NAT on the 27th of this month, so 13 days post potential exposure and 12 days after stopping PEP. Receptionist said it’d be “expensive.” She said, “$499.” That’s cheap for peace of mind.
But honestly, I would’ve been able to keep my anxiety under control if not for the sore throat, and headache.
Managed to find a place that would do NAT on the 27th of this month, so 13 days post potential exposure and 12 days after stopping PEP. Receptionist said it’d be “expensive.” She said, “$499.” That’s cheap for peace of mind.
But honestly, I would’ve been able to keep my anxiety under control if not for the sore throat, and headache.
not sure what you think anyone is going to say here as you already received all the advice you had. Not all that interested in your sore throat. There are 52 every day viruses that cause that. And HIV is not diagnosed by symptoms. It's not our fault if anxiety made you test early. test at 28 days. That's it. Your anxiety is causing you to just keep posting. Nothing new here.
1st of all : no doctors here , just volunteers following protocol of forum as guided by doctors in the forum before
2nd : if she refused to continue after condom rupture , this means she is worried and she is mostly hiv negative
3rd: you have very, very low risk exposure
4th : Pep is prescribed in case of high risk exposure with hiv positive person, but to continue or to stop is your decision. You can discuss it again with the physician who presribed.
2nd : if she refused to continue after condom rupture , this means she is worried and she is mostly hiv negative
3rd: you have very, very low risk exposure
4th : Pep is prescribed in case of high risk exposure with hiv positive person, but to continue or to stop is your decision. You can discuss it again with the physician who presribed.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
