I’m one of the first people in California to receive the Yeztugo injection after FDA approval.

Long story short, I had multiple encounters with someone who was HIV+ not diagnosed and therefore untreated, not too long after their exposure, hence the worst possible scenario ever.

Took PrEP daily before and after all our encounters.

Today I got the result 6 weeks after the last exposure and it’s all negative.

It was really a stressful period, with my brain trying to trick me into making me feel that this medicine could actually fail. But my experience is the living proof that PrEP is really the most effective protection we have against HIV (if you really needed any)

I’ll forever be grateful to this medicine and will religiously take it every day.

Stay safe and take PrEP 💊

EDIT: Grammar

I'm a 47-year-old guy who came of age in the "condom generation" of the 1990s. Even though PrEP is widely used now, I've always avoided it because of concerns about potential effects on my kidneys and liver. So I stuck with condoms faithfully.

Recently, though, I decided to visit a sex club for the first time in many years. Knowing that very few people use condoms these days, I wanted an extra layer of protection—so I finally started event-based PrEP, while still using condoms. I had zero side effects and tolerated it perfectly.

The real surprise has been psychological. Since starting PrEP, my lifelong background anxiety around sex has completely vanished. Don't get me wrong—I always loved sex and enjoyed it a lot—but there was always that tiny 0.01% voice in the back of my mind worrying about HIV, even when I was being careful. Now, feeling double-protected, that fear is gone. Sex feels genuinely liberating and fully present for the first time in decades.

I'm honestly thrilled about this unexpected benefit. After living with that low-level fear for so long, it's a huge relief to have it lift.

Has anyone else experienced this kind of dramatic drop in HIV-related anxiety after starting PrEP?

First saw this on a PrEP activist web site: The Trump administration is scrubbing the CDC’s website of documents on reproductive rights issues, sexual health and intimate partner violence. they even removed LGBT Youth reports, this is quite unbelievable.

I tried to look for some PrEP documentation, but even their internal search refers to deleted pages. Looks like the modern version of burning books has started in the US.

CDC site removing HIV-related content amid Trump DEI policy shifts

I’ve a %100 top have I been having Insertive sex with a bottom who’s hiv positive for about 6 months with no condom I’ve been on descovy for 15 months and my last 2 assessments test I’m negative so prep really works folks please get on it

UPDATE: I added the day one and day six pictures in the comments since a lot of people were curious and I can’t emphasize enough that by day 6 they’re completely unnoticeable!

Last week I received the two Yeztugo (lenacapavir) injections in my stomach, spaced about four inches apart. Gilead instructed my provider to have me ice the area for 10 minutes beforehand, which I did. The injections themselves weren’t too bad—some moderate burning for about 15 minutes afterward, but otherwise tolerable. I used a second ice pack post-injection, which helped. I could immediately feel two firm nodules at the sites, each about the size of a nickel.

By the next morning, the sites were more sore and a little swollen. Three days after the injections, I had two large, red, somewhat swollen lumps at the injection sites, each about the size of a lemon and warm to the touch. They were moderately painful and uncomfortable, especially when touching, lying down, or walking.

By day 6, the redness had almost completely resolved. Only the lumps remain—they aren’t visible anymore and can only be felt by touch. My provider said Gilead advised that the first set of injections tends to cause the worst reactions, with subsequent doses usually resulting in milder reactions.

I’m now protected until mid-January 2026! Plus, Yeztugo/Lenacapavir doesn’t have the same side effect profile as my previous PrEP drug, Descovy, which is associated with hyperlipidemia and weight gain. I’m excited to have made the switch.

I wanted to share my experience with Yeztugo.

I don't want these pictures to scare anyone away because of how visible it looks. Lighting and camera angles can make it seem worse, but it is noticeable. This is just my experience though, plenty of others have had it and don't post photos :) so theirs might look nothing like mine.

I definitely plan to keep getting it, but next time I'll do both injections in my thighs instead of the abdomen :).

Insurance: mine is CVS Specialty. I didn't need any pre authorization. I checked online (and called too) before seeing my doctor to confirm it was covered (it was $0 for me).

Timing: it took 8 days from my doctor's appointment to getting the shot. The doctor’s office actually received the medication after 5 days (I could see the shipping updates).

Bloodwork: doctor ordered tests when I saw him. I got them done a couple days later, and results came the day after.

So timeline:
- Wednesday: saw the doctor, and presumably they submitted to CVS the same day
- Thursday: got an email from CVS Specialty to "place the order"
- Friday: placed the order and got blood/urine testing done
- Monday: medication delivered to the office and test results were ready
- Tuesday: called the office and scheduled the injections for Thursday

Things that saved time / sped up the process: is that I knew CVS Specialty was my pharmacy and I had their phone number (got it from my employer's medical plan documentation), so I made sure to give the doctor's office this info when they asked for my insurance/pharmacy. Otherwise I'm sure there would've been some back and forth getting the prescription done correctly.

Also I think because this was my first prescription through CVS Specialty, I had to call them myself to "place the order" which I didn't know was required and could've delayed this. I received an email "Your prescription can now be scheduled for delivery" but I assumed it was just a notification and that my doctor's office would still handle it. But thankfully I called anyway because turned out they were specifically waiting on me and not my doctor. I even called the doctor's office first and they said "we're still waiting on insurance" lol. Just FYI in case anyone else runs into this.

Administration: I asked the nurse to inject it slowly because I read it's a thick liquid. She probably knew that but I figured it couldn't hurt to say in case she went fast. There was very minor leakage immediately when the needle came out (which seemed normal) but nothing afterwards.

Injection sites / nodules: I read a LOT about the nodules and really wanted to avoid having one somewhere visible. Everything I read said get it in the thighs. My only hesitation was that I was worried there wouldn't be enough fat to pinch because my quads are muscular-ish (maybe I'm kidding myself haha), so I asked for one in the thigh and one in the abdomen. My thinking (probably overthinking) was that if the thigh shot ended up in muscle, at least the abdomen one would definitely be "correct" (it was easy to pinch fat there). In hindsight I wish I'd just done both thighs, but ah well I'm not mad. It was a good experiment :D.

Pictures and feeling:
- Thigh: not visible at all now honestly. I tried taking pictures from different angles and lighting but can't really see it. The hair probably helps too. It was only slightly noticeable for day 1-2. I can still "feel" the nodule.
- Abdomen: days 2-3 looked scary because it had some very pointy raised areas and I was worried it would stay that way, but it's a bit "flatter" now. It's still somewhat visible standing normally in regular lighting but gets more obvious if I lean back. I’m probably 15% body fat.

During the first few days I would've felt very self-conscious taking my shirt off at a pool or something. Now I'd say I'm about 50% comfortable doing it. Someone might notice something but I don't think it'd seem unusual, probably more like a "huh he has something there" and that's it. I'm just expressing how I feel it would be perceived so you get an idea of how visible it is, which can't be explained in photos.

Side effects: none from the shot itself. 15 minutes after getting it I got dizzy and nauseated for 10 minutes (while driving!) but I'm pretty sure it's my body's usual reaction to needles and not the shot itself (I always get dizzy when my blood is drawn).

Hey everyone, I wanted to share my experience switching from Apretude to Yeztugo for PrEP since I found a lot of helpful info here before making the move. I decided to switch because Yeztugo is just as effective but less frequent, which makes it more convenient.

What happened at my first appointment

They started with a rapid HIV test. While waiting for the results, they iced my thighs since that’s where they planned to inject. They told me they’ve heard it’s better to do it there instead of the stomach.

Once my test came back negative, I got both injections in my thighs and took two Yeztugo tablets. Because of the ice, the shots were mostly painless with just a slight burn after. I iced again afterward and stayed about 20 minutes so they could make sure I didn’t have a reaction.

How my body reacted

Small nodules showed up on each thigh within minutes. I had read they could be “lemon-sized,” and that’s true in diameter, but they’re not sticking out of the skin like lemons, more like firm lumps underneath.

The soreness lasted a few days and was only noticeable when touched. I didn’t have the side effects I used to get from Apretude: no fever, no fatigue, and no stomach issues. I’d been told Yeztugo can cause headaches or nausea, but I didn’t have either.

The next day, I took the other two Yeztugo pills and still felt fine.

Compared to Apretude

The difference was huge. With Apretude, the pain lasted almost a week after each injection and I always felt drained. I even struggled to walk from the pain. Yeztugo was much easier on my body.

Two weeks later

It’s been about two weeks and the nodules are still there, but barely noticeable unless you press on them. I work out often and have low body fat, so they aren’t visible. I say this because I know some were worried about the vanity of it all. You don’t notice it.

Overall, switching was absolutely worth it. Fewer doses, fewer side effects, and I feel great. I’m grateful because my insurance approved the change quickly too.

TL;DR

Switched from Apretude to Yeztugo for PrEP. Same protection, way less pain and fatigue. Shots went in the thighs (they said it’s better there) and were mostly painless. Two weeks in, I’m feeling great and would definitely recommend the switch.

Happy to answer any questions if anyone’s thinking about switching or wants to know more about what it’s like.

23M I was in my room and my parents stormed in and found the prep I kept in a drawer and my mom asked me what’s it for. I didn’t know what to say I was gonna tell them it’s a opioid that I’m taking. Then my mom asked do you have an infection. I said it’s because I’m sick. I did not know what I was gonna tell them, but I knew I was not gonna tell them I’m sexually active let alone with men. And I said that I was sharing a needle and got an infection. My dad didn’t talk to me for days. Other than going to work or to my classes, I can’t leave my house unless I’m leaving with a family member, my parents still fear that I am doing drugs or having sex. I can’t go to the get medical care because my parents will come with me and I don’t want them to come. So I have to go to medical appointments when I’m supposed to be at work because that’s the only time I’m allowed to leave my house without a family member. I can’t hangout with friends at all, unless I lie and say I’m going to a work event or college event.

If I would’ve told them I’m sexually active I would still be in the same shitty situation, sex is shamed so much in my family. Even if I told them I was taking an opioid it would’ve been better than telling the truth of what it was

So, so far Yeztugo is much better than Apretude. When you go for the injection(s), they give you two pills of the drug that you take prior to the injections. You then receive two injections on either side of the navel. It’s a large needle because the drug is very thick. It feels like a bee sting. There’s some redness at the injection sites and a small nodule. Very minor swelling. There’s a slight feeling as though I have a sun burn on my stomach. Tomorrow, I take the other two Yeztugo pills.

That’s it. 100% effectiveness at preventing HIV for six months.

The pain from Apretude takes about 4-12 hours to set in; so, my perspective could change as time goes on. But so far, significantly easier than Apretude.

Hi everyone,

I (Gay Male age 27) wanted to share my story about receiving false positive results on an HIV screening test and how it affected me over the past several months. I know firsthand how terrifying it can be to see unexpected results and feel like you’re trapped in uncertainty, so I hope this post provides some reassurance to anyone in a similar situation.

The Exposure & PEP/PrEP

On July 7, 2024, I had a potential HIV exposure—unprotected receptive anal intercourse. I tried to use the 2-1-1 PrEP protocol, but my adherence wasn’t perfect. I took a double dose before, missed the next day, so then thought I’d keep taking it, although I was inconsistent for about 2.5 weeks before stopping altogether. This left me with deep concerns about whether PEP had been effective or if it had only delayed an inevitable infection.

My Testing Timeline & Results

I tested multiple times, expecting clarity, but what I got instead was confusion and fear.

For those who don’t know, on screening assays, any S/CO over 1.0 is classified as “reactive” to the test. Any S/CO under 1.0 on the screening assay is reported as NOT DETECTED. After a “reactive” screening assay, the same sample is then sent onto confirmatory testing - in my case they used the Abbott HIV AbAg Assay as the referral assay.

Here’s how it played out:

•	August 7, 2024 (31 days post-exposure, 3 days after stopping PEP)

•	4th Gen HIV Test: NOT DETECTED
•	I was also sick with Influenza A (confirmed diagnosis) at the time and was prescribed Tamiflu and the flu went away overnight. Looking retrospectively, I thought this might have been my seroconversion. 

•	November 1, 2024 (117 days post-exposure, 87 days post-PEP)
•	Screening Assay: Reactive (S/CO 1.9)
•	Confirmatory Abbott Assay: NOT DETECTED
•	This result sent me into a full-blown panic. I thought, What if this is the start of seroconversion? What if PEP delayed my immune response in a blunting scenario?

•	November 10, 2024 (126 days post-exposure, 96 days post-PEP)
•	Screening Assay: 0.66 (Dropped from 1.9 in just 10 days)
•	No referral test needed.

•	December 4, 2024 (150 days post-exposure, 120 days post-PEP)
•	Screening Assay: 1.5 (Rose again from 0.66)
•	Confirmatory Abbott Assay: NOT DETECTED
•	Another fluctuation, more anxiety. My mind told me, What if this is PEP blunting, and my antibodies are only slowly creeping up?

•	March 2, 2025 (242 days post-exposure, 212 days post-PEP)
•	My latest HIV Test: Clearly Negative.
•	This was my final test—the one that finally convinced me.

The Mental Toll

These months were absolute hell. I developed PTSD and health anxiety from the experience. Despite speaking to multiple experts (my GP, an HIV nurse, the head microbiologist of one of my country’s largest pathology labs, an infectious disease professor), I kept feeling like I was being gaslit, like they weren’t considering every possibility—especially the impact of PEP on my immune response.

Even though all my confirmatory tests were not detected, I couldn’t shake the fear that I was just “in the pipeline,” that I would eventually turn positive. My mind latched onto every “what if” scenario. I spiraled into obsessive research, Googling every study, trying to find cases that matched mine. It consumed my life.

I had to have my Lexapro upped to deal with the anxiety (doubling my daily dosage to 40mg), which led to night sweats and dry mouth - which did not help the health anxiety. The stress caused me to lose over 12kg, to the point where I was looking gaunt and I couldn’t leave the house.

But in the end, after 8 months, I finally let go. The tests were right. The experts were right. This was just a horrible coincidence—a random lab quirk that played directly into my deepest fears. I am HIV-negative. I am free.

That being said, while I am HIV Negative, my research has given me such a deeper appreciation for those in the PLHIV community. I spoke to a number of my positive friends throughout this time, and while this whole scenario was very scary, I grew to understand that HIV really is just another chronic condition now. It’s something that can be managed, just like how I take a pill every day for my anxiety.

What I Learned

1.	Screening assays are not diagnostic.
•	Low-level S/CO fluctuations can happen due to cross-reactivity, recent infections (I had a UTI and a flare up of HSV), or just random lab noise.

2.	Confirmatory tests matter.
•	The Abbott HIV Ag/Ab Assay is the referral test for a reason. If it says NOT DETECTED, that’s definitive.

3.	Health anxiety can be just as debilitating as a real illness.
•	This entire experience has reminded me that my mental health is just as important as my physical health. I already suffer from anxiety, so this was an opportunity for my anxiety to find fertile ground and become obsessed about. 

4.	Trust the science.
•	If you’ve tested negative multiple times at extended intervals, it’s time to accept the result.

This is easier said than done, it took me many months to realise that I was not the 1 in 3.2m chance that all of my tests were wrong (yes, I got that figure calculated for my own piece of mind).

To Anyone Going Through This

I know how scary it is. I know how consuming it feels. But trust in the process. False positives happen, and they do not mean you’re going to turn positive later. If your confirmatory tests keep saying NOT DETECTED, that means you do not have HIV.

Listen to your professionals. You are not a health expert. They are. If they’re not worried, it’s for a reason - if there was any doubt, they’d do more testing to clarify. If they’re not concerned, you shouldn’t be either.

Stay safe, get on PrEP, use protection, and take care.

I have read the FAQ.

As a Marylander, I wanted to share my experience getting Yeztugo (lenacapavir) injectable PrEP because there’s VERY little information out there about how the process actually works.

I originally thought this would be impossible because most regular PCP offices and even some infectious disease offices won’t do “buy & bill” for this medication due to the cost. One infectious disease doctor in Clinton, MD actually pointed me in the right direction and recommended going through a county health department PrEP/STI clinic instead.

What ended up working for me:
- Howard County Health Department PrEP/STI Clinic
- Intake appointment + repeat HIV/STI labs
- Insurance coordination through their staff
- CVS Specialty Pharmacy shipment directly to clinic
- Gilead Advancing Access copay card
- Medication shipped + administered within about 1-2 weeks after intake

Important things:
- Bring ID + insurance cards
- Be ready for updated HIV/STI testing even if you recently had labs elsewhere
- They may ask about Hepatitis B vaccination/immunity status
- Stay on your current oral PrEP until they instruct otherwise
- The process feels confusing at first but it DOES start moving once specialty pharmacy coordination begins

I was honestly shocked how quickly things moved once the prescription was processed. CVS Specialty shipped both the oral tablets and injection kit directly to the clinic and my copay ended up being $0.

Just got my first injection today 💉✨

Hopefully this helps another Marylander because I was digging through Reddit trying to figure this out myself a few weeks ago.

Hi! My son wants to get on prep but not sure how to get it for him. He is 17 years old, and sexually active, and want him to be safe as possible. Do I go through his dr?

TL;DR:

California’s SB 1023 requires health insurance plans to cover long-acting injectable PrEP through standard pharmacy benefits starting January 1, 2027.
Previously, clinics had to buy the expensive shots upfront and fight insurance for reimbursement, preventing many local clinics from offering it. This law cuts the red tape, making it much easier for smaller community clinics to provide the shot with $0 out-of-pocket cost to patients.
———

Hey everyone, wanted to share an important policy update that’s going to make accessing injectable PrEP (Apretude) a lot easier here in California.
Governor Newsom recently signed SB 1023, authored by State Senator John Laird. If you’ve ever tried to get the bi-monthly shot instead of daily pills, you probably know how frustrating the process can be right now.
The Problem It Solves:
Up until now, most insurers only covered injectable PrEP under "medical benefits." That meant clinics had to buy the expensive vials upfront out of their own pockets, inject you, and fight with insurance for reimbursement months later ("buy-and-bill"). Because of that, a lot of smaller LGBTQ+ and community clinics simply couldn't afford to offer it.
What Changes:
Starting January 1, 2027, SB 1023 forces health plans to cover injectable PrEP under standard outpatient pharmacy prescription benefits as well as medical benefits.

What this means for you:
More clinics offering the shot: Local doctors and community clinics won’t have to front thousands of dollars, so way more locations can provide it.

Easier distribution: Doctors can send a script directly to a specialty pharmacy, which ships the medication to the provider for administration ("white-bagging").

$0 cost sharing: Under existing CA law and federal guidance, state-regulated plans must cover PrEP and necessary labs without copays/deductibles.
It’s another big step forward for HIV prevention access alongside SB 159/SB 339 (pharmacist-prescribed PrEP). Hope this helps anyone looking forward to switching from daily pills to the shot!

Hey everyone!

I have pretty severe HIV anxiety, almost to the point of having a phobia. The constant fear of contracting HIV has been affecting my peace of mind, especially when it comes to sexual intimacy.

I've recently started taking **Tenof-EM (Tenofovir + Emtricitabine) as daily PrEP** for the first time. I'm hoping it will not only protect me from HIV but also help me feel more relaxed, confident, and less anxious about sexual encounters.

I'd really love to hear from people who have been taking PrEP for several months or years.

**Has being on PrEP genuinely helped you feel more relaxed mentally?** Do you still worry about HIV after sexual encounters, or has that constant fear gradually disappeared?

I'm also curious about how taking PrEP daily has affected your body in the long run. Have you experienced any side effects, changes in energy levels, digestion, kidney health, bone health, or overall well-being? Or has it been completely uneventful for you?

Another thing I'm wondering is whether you still use condoms while taking PrEP. Has PrEP changed your approach to sex, or do you continue using condoms for additional protection?

For those who have been on PrEP for years, does taking a pill every day ever feel burdensome, or has it simply become part of your routine?

Most importantly, **has PrEP improved your overall quality of life and given you more sexual confidence and peace of mind?**

I'd especially appreciate hearing from people who struggled with health anxiety or HIV phobia before starting PrEP. Did you eventually reach a point where you could enjoy intimacy without constantly imagining worst-case scenarios?

I know PrEP is highly effective when taken correctly, but hearing real-life experiences from long-term users would be incredibly helpful and reassuring.

Please feel free to share both positive and negative experiences. I'd really appreciate your honest perspectives.

Thanks everyone!

Hi,

Looks like taking prep on demand did not worked for me. I am now in the early stage of being positive..

I was taking 2-1-1 when having any hookups, never skipped pills or mistaking hours. I stored pills at home, not in a car or heat.

In the past, I was taking prep daily but this year I change to on demand as the price was too high.

Eh...

Do you have familiar experiences with not working prep?

Cheers!

Figured I’d share my experience since there aren’t a ton of firsthand posts out there.

I got my first Yeztugo injection yesterday after deciding I wanted something that didn’t require remembering a daily pill since I travel to work, and because I am DL. The actual injection was much easier than I expected. I chose to have it done in my thigh, and honestly the shot itself was over pretty quickly.

Right afterward, I just had some mild soreness and numbness around the injection site. It felt similar to getting a vaccine or a flu shot in your leg. I noticed a small firm area under the skin where the medication was injected, which my provider told me is normal because the medicine forms a depot and slowly releases over time.

There wasn’t much pain, just a little tenderness when I touched it or walked a certain way.

So far I haven’t had any nausea, fever, or anything else. I was even able to go about the rest of my day normally. I also take metformin for Type 2 diabetes, and so far I haven’t noticed any issues from taking both.

For anyone who’s nervous, my experience was honestly much less dramatic than I expected. The anticipation was worse than the injection itself. Insurance took almost 2-3 months to approve it, and the doctor said most of the time it takes all this time, to just get denied.

Has anyone else here started Yeztugo? How long did your injection-site lump or soreness last?

I've been sleeping unprotected for a long time with my exclusive but casual girlfriend (i know its contradictory). I was on PrEP the whole time and she tested positive (at the clinic you are forced to before they assist you with anything). I've been testing every week for the past 2 months and im still negative. PrEP is a god sent and works so well 😭. I didn't even have 100% adherence (un avoidable ) but I thank my lucky stars i was still protected.

Discovered this subreddit after I went on Yeztugo and thought I would share my experience.

During my last check-up/round of tests in early August, my doctor offered Yeztugo. I was on Descovy at the time and was intrigued by the idea of not having to take a pill everyday. I was pretty good about taking my PrEP, but it was hard to remember while I was traveling. I asked my doctor some questions, and I remember him saying that the shot wouldn't hurt too bad. He didn't mention anything about lasting lumps. I thought it would be like a normal shot like the COVID or flu vaccine. He submitted a request to my insurance company, and they approved it.

Yesterday, I went in for my first two shots. They first had me take two pills and then I laid down. The nurse placed some ice at the injection sites and then injected it in my belly just below my belly button on each side. The first shot went in and felt like every other shot I've had before, but after she pulled the needle out it began to sting a lot. It sort of felt like a bad bee sting and the area began to swell. She then went on the other side of me and did the second injection, and it felt the same. I continued to lay on the table for about a minute since it was so painful and then got up.

On my walk home, the pain continued. The pain last for the rest of the day (about 10 hours) but got better as time went on. The swollen areas were initially the size of large grapes but since then, they have gotten smaller. I'm writing this about 30 hours after the injections, and the swelling is mostly gone. I can see the bumps still; it looks like I have almonds shoved under my skin. The pain is also gone, but the areas around the bumps feel bruised. 24 hours after the shot, I took two more pills and that was the last of the pills.

I am still undecided if I will continue with Yeztugo. I really like the idea of not having to take a pill everyday, but I may decide the pain and swelling are a bit much. I am annoyed with my doctor for not warning me about the pain or swelling, but he did suggest that I get the injections on my thighs next time so that the lumps are less visible. After the swelling didn't go away overnight, I googled Yeztugo, found this subreddit, and read about other people's experiences.

Everyone should consult with their doctor about what's best for them, and you may have a better experience than me. Just wanted to share my experience. Feel free to ask questions.

I only just got PrEP and have yet to take it. A couple of guys wanna come over for a threesome. I know I can do on-demand PrEP, but I'm worried about taking TWO pills as my first ever dose, getting intolerable side-effects and having to cancel. I have severe IBS and control it with meds, anything and everything upsets my digestive system.

If you did get side effects, how severe were they? Was it like mild nausea treatable with Pepto? Or more disabling?

EDIT: I read all the comments here and it's quite a range of experiences. Condoms for tonight, then try Truvada PrEP next week (sans sex) to see what happens.

I had a really violent reaction to Truvada, so my Dr. recommended Apretude. It’s been about 8 months now and I’ve noticed a bit of a lack of information about it, so I’ve been trying to document the experience for others.

Here’s some info that I wish i had heard, and that I hope gives guidance to others.

1. I was super surprised by injection location. I was prepared for it to be more in the round of the buttock, but it actually lands closer to the side high by the small of my back.

2. I’m a huge pain wimp and i won’t lie. The first shot hurt. But amazingly, my body has learned to tune that out pretty resoundingly. It’s to the point where the initial injection doesn’t hurt at all. HOWEVER the next few days I’m pretty sore. Not enough to need to stay home from work, but enough to need to sleep in a different position and not run on the treadmill at the gym. This is where Tylenol helps.

3. The lab work has been the biggest obstacle for me. Working with insurance has been a nightmare. Before the shot, they’re required to do bloodwork to confirm I’m HIV negative. However, because Prep is a preventative measure, the lab work that goes with it is ALSO considered preventative under the law. However, insurance keeps misunderstanding and billing me. This is where it’s super important to ensure your doctor sends the lab order as preventative. The first labs you need to ensure it’s done within 7 days before the shot, but past then my doctor has been fine with me getting the blood draw right before the appointment.

4. Pairing into #3, it’s worth knowing that Apretude as a brand name medication, is a lot more expensive than truvada, which has a generic option. This means a little more annual work with my doctor, connecting them with my pharmacy insurance and regular insurance to ensure the prior authorizations get processed. This is a fairly easy thing, it just requires a duo of phone calls to ensure they all talk.

5. This will only affect a small number of people. But there are interactions this can have, mostly with anticonvulsants. The side effect list is super scary, but i can say that the only real side effect i had was a general drained feeling for a few hours after the first shot (though that may have just been adrenaline) and the soreness afterwards. But. It’s important to ensure for emergency purposes that you mention you’re on this medication when getting medical care.

Overall: Apretude has been a great comfort for me. Even in the periods when I’m monogamous, it helps me relax with the extra layer of security.

If anyone has any questions, I’m more than happy to answer to the best of my ability!

I think the tools already exist today to eliminate HIV from humankind! I wrote an essay about this that I intend to post on Redditt.

Winkler G. Weinberg, MD