Pep Malaise

[Randyriver]

Hi there, I have just tonight completed my 22nd day of PEP following an unfortunate incident at a bathhouse. I had anal sex for a couple of minutes but it was pretty intense and vigorous and I was the bottom. The top guy wore a condom and did not ejaculate, but when he withdrew we could see the condom was completely torn apart with his penis completely poking through. He said something like "don't worry. I'm positive but I didn't come so you're fine." I asked him if he is on meds and he said he takes sustiva. I didnt get any other details from him. He was nice about reassuring me and telling me he really thought I had nothing to worry about. But I could not just ignore the possible risk of exposure to HIV. I had just tested neg less than a month earlier and had no other slip-ups recently.

The next morning, I spoke with a friend who agreed with me that my risk was low, kind of like winning the lottery BUT reminded me that some people do win the lottery. I went to the emergency and got my 28 days of Truvada and Kaletra, which I started taking immediately. So I began the meds approximately 10-12 hours after the incident.

The first week my stomach was very upset and I felt kind of fatigued, but now I feel like I have more or less adjusted to the meds. Still, the thing is I am just so sick of taking all these pills every day, my stomach is still "off", I don't totally feel like myself and want to just be done with it.

I know your advice is likely to be "just tough it out" but honestly I just would appreciate your thoughts about whether, based on the situation I described, whether there is really any added benefit of doing the 6 more days. I would think that, even if I were exposed during my incident, whatever virus cells got into my body would have been killed off by PEP many days ago already.

All this week, I was telling myself I'll just do this through Day 22 and that's enough. Would that not have mitigated my risk quite substantially?

I look forward to your reply(s). Thanks very much in advance.
 

[RapidRod]

Finish the meds. No one takes Sustiva alone.

[Ann]

Randy,

Honestly? Would you rather take these meds for six more days, or for the REST OF YOUR LIFE?

All things considered, you'll probably be just fine. He didn't cum and if he really is on meds, he most likely has an undetectable viral load, which makes him a lot less likely to pass the virus on.  (I don't see why he'd lie about being on meds if he didn't lie about being poz - although Rod's correct, it would be more than just Sustiva, maybe you forgot the other name(s) he mentioned)

However, you have the meds, finish taking them. I hope you're taking on board the incredible commitment it takes for a positive person to remain on the meds. If you want to remain hiv negative, you're going to have to make an incredible commitment to condom use - CORRECT condom use. A correctly used condom rarely breaks.

One of the leading cause of condom breakage is leaving an air bubble in the tip of the condom. When you bottom, I urge you to make sure your top is putting the condom on correctly and pinching the tip of the condom while applying it. This is important.

Another big cause of condom failure is not using enough lube. Again, when you bottom, you would be prudent to provide lube and make sure it is being used in copious quantities. Read through all three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can prevent condom failure in future.

Good luck with your final week of PEP, and good luck with your testing. I don't want to see you in Just Tested Poz!

Ann

[Randyriver]

Thanks very much to both of you for taking the time to post your replies. You helped me through to the end of Day 27. I am pretty much done now. It was no picknick and in the last couple of days my lower legs started feeling tight and I see the veins around my eyes in a way that is more visible than normal. I definitely have a newfound appreciation for those who have to take these meds on a daily basis for the foreseeable future. I'll definitely be taking proper care with condoms from now on. Thanks again.

[Ann]

Randy,

You're welcome. Remember, LUBE, and pinch the tip! Hopefully we won't see you around here again - except maybe to report your negative test result.

Ann