Unintended Side Effects Of PrEP

Damon L. Jacobs checks in with My PrEP Experience after 855 doses of Truvada as PrEP (more than 2 years.) Read earlier posts from Damon about his PrEP experience on this blog.

But what about the side effects?

Beginning the use of Truvada as PrEP on July 19, 2011 was not without some reservation.

Sure, I knew it could offer me an opportunity to feel more in control of my body and my health. Sure, I knew it could enable me to experience sexual intimacy without fear of HIV for the first time in my life. And sure, I knew it could enhance my ability to educate about safer sex practices as a therapist and an activist.

But what about the side effects? The prospect of having damaged kidneys did not thrill me in the least. Plus bone density reduction? I didn’t even know what that was! Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramping? Those were not the kind of adventures I welcomed. What about all the unintended side effects that nobody could predict? How was I going to deal with all that?

I was relieved to find during my first few weeks of taking Truvada that I experienced no physical side effects whatsoever. But what about the problems I wouldn’t be able to detect? What about the harm to my vital organs that I may not be able to sense? Was protection from HIV worth the risk?

For this reason, my doctor began the pattern of seeing me regularly, and drawing blood consistently. During the first year of using PrEP he saw me every three months. Beginning the second year he expanded it to every four months. By doing this he’s been able to monitor all my liver enzymes, kidney levels, and a bunch of other stuff that I don’t fully understand.

On November 20, 2013, I met with my doctor for my routine checkup. I had my blood drawn a few weeks earlier. As usual, this process was done with some trepidation on my part. Have I been damaging myself by using this medication? Am I willingly depositing toxic chemicals in my system? Am I sabotaging my organs for sexual pleasure?

After two years and four months (or 855 doses), my kidneys are fine. My organs are great. As a matter of fact, at age 42, I’m in the best shape of my life. How is that even possible?

As it turns out, taking PrEP has not only been a regular commitment to my physical health, but it has also prompted me to take active self-care measures in other areas.

Feeling protected from HIV helps me to feel more affirmative sexually. Feeling affirmative sexually gives me more confidence and energy. More confidence and energy leads me to exercise consistently and eat healthier. Exercising more and eating healthier gives me more strength and confidence. Having strength and confidence promotes improved mood, happier relationships, and more satisfaction in my professional life, which all positively impacts my physical health.

So have there been unintended side effects of taking Truvada the last two years and four months?

You bet!

It unintentionally has had an affirmative and healthy impact in every other area of my life. It unexpectedly has given me a sense of efficacy, empowerment, and freedom that has benefited my physical, emotional, and sexual well being.

If those are the side effects, I’ll be looking forward to a whole lot more!

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Damon L. Jacobs is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in New York City, who specializes working with individuals and couples in the GLBT community. He has spent 17 years treating issues related to HIV/AIDS, stress management, bullying trauma, grief/loss, social alienation, suicide management, care-taking fatigue, substance abuse, domestic violence, and anxiety disorders. He created and monitors the "PrEP Facts: Rethinking HIV and Sex" page on Facebook. He is also the author of the new book "Rational Relating: The Smart Way To Stay Sane In The Crazy World Of Love." Please contact at Damon@DamonLJacobs.com. 

 

Pozilady - "Since knowing about PrEP, I have been able to help my son's father remain healthy"

by Pozilady
Washington, DC

I am in my mid 30's and have been diagnosed since I was 18. I've been undetectable for many years now. I've had quite a few relationships since my diagnosis. Some rejections as well due to my status, but my disclosure allowed me and those individuals to remain very close friends with an insurmountable amount of respect for one another.

Nevertheless,  the delight of my story is I have birthed a son who is over a year old now and HIV negative.  His father remains negative as well due to Truvada! (And prayer!!!)

Originally,  we used Truvada for him as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) due to a failed condom,  but as our relationship grew stronger we mutually decided to PLAN to have our miracle child. See, my "Inf. Disease" doctor would always encourage me to have a child, stating "you are healthy,  what are you waiting for?" So, my partner and I talked it over with my OB/Gyn doctor and asked his advise on what to do in case of a mishap and/or when trying to conceive.  They both led us to Truvada.

Since knowing about PrEP, I have been able to help my son's father remain healthy,  it's is absolutely wonderful for many reasons.  It decreases the burden of possible guilt should one become negative on a count of me. Also, if we decided not to stay together as a couple we both could move on with our lives, and not feel forced to stay together because of a status.

Disclosure is hard, but it is a MUST. Having knowledge of your status, regular doctors visits and labs, keeping up with your numbers, staying on your meds and finally educating your partner is empowering!

 

VIDEO: "Love somebody" - Dakota is back with a vid on his first PrEP day

[Read Dakota's blog from yesterday - Alabama firefighter, paramedic and "pitcher" goes on PrEP.]

In the video, Dakota talks about all kinds of stuff regarding this first day on PrEP. Including having a rather "invasive" checkup before hand - with swabs going in all kinds of orifices. He complains about awful PowerPoints used for patient education. (can we get an AMEN?)  And he talks about how he has always made decisions that were appropriate to him and his life - not paying heed to the judgments of others.

Thanks for sharing Dakota! We look forward to following your journey ;)

Alabama firefighter, paramedic and "pitcher" goes on PrEP

by Dakota
Birmingham, Alabama
(with a shout out to the UAB 1917 clinic

I have often felt that I am missing the opportunity to have a full sex life and "catch" when the time is right.

About 2 years ago I started hearing about PrEP. I only gave it passing interest. As a health care provider (I'm a firefighter and paramedic), I was educated on PeP and even had to go through a course following a needle stick.

But for some reason didn't look into PrEP very much.

Recently I began thinking about it and finally made an educational appointment to learn more. After about an hour and half with a health educator I found out that my insurance does cover it and it's really not even very expensive. I have my first clinic appointment in a few days to be tested for HIV and will go to a group education session and then see a provider to get my prescription.

I'm really looking forward to the security this will provide. Candidly I will admit that I do not use condoms. As a "pitcher" I've always considered it a safer practice but have often felt that I am missing the opportunity to have a full sex life and "catch" when the time is right.

My decisions about condoms are personal and appropriate to myself, I make no apologies for my decisions and I respect opposing decisions. PrEP makes it possible to still have a layer of protection without the layer of latex.

I'm also looking forward to being able to help spread education about PrEP. I hope that everyone can find a strategy that works best for them.

 

[SLIDES] Nashville Gets PrEPared

Last night in Nashville, advocates came together for "Project PrEPare" - a forum including a group of community health advocates that came together at OutCentral to try and provide answers to the community’s questions about a new HIV prevention strategy called pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known as PrEP.

Below are the slides Mark Hubbard - a fierce and super smart prevention advocate - presented to an audience of more than 50 folks from throughout Tennessee. More info on the event here.

Project PrEPared Nashville - The Road to PrEP from tnmarkyBNA

¿Que es PrEP? - Learn About PrEP in this Spanish PowerPoint

Ques es PrEP - Profilaxis Pre-exposición - is a short PowerPoint in Spanish describing PrEP for the prevention of HIV.

The smart and fabulous prevention advocate Alex Barros of Miami (pictured) created this excellent presentation. Please take advantage of this great resource.

Alex can be reached at galexbarros at gmail dot com.

 

What is PrEP? Helpful info page from Fenway

The Fenway Institute has launched a very helpful info page on PrEP with simple fact sheets and short, concise, clear videos to help people better understand PrEP.

The video below is great start, laying out the basics in 90 seconds. Click here for other videos and info resources on PrEP from Fenway.