"PrEP is my wake up call to a reality that I need to protect myself and stop putting my life in others' hands."

via Christopher Wilson

Rochester, NY

On August 18, 2014, I posted, “I chose to begin taking pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, as another way to take back control of my life. As a man of color who is also same-gender-loving the odds are against me in quite a few ways. Instead of allowing the world to get me, I’m taking a stand with my health.” Well it is almost a year later and I am still taking PrEP but my reasons have changed slightly.

Read the rest of the story on Christopher's blog.

And thanks Christopher for sharing your story with My PrEP Experience, and the world! Personal experiences and testimonials from people using PrEP - like you - are so powerful and help many, many other people clarify their own decisions around sexual health and wellness, whether PrEP is their choice or not.

Dwayne in Atlanta - "Take control of your sexual health, and don’t be afraid to ask questions."

via Dwayne Hickman
Atlanta, Georiga

This is Dwayne and I have been on PrEP almost a year and I would like to share my PrEP experience.

One of the main reasons I decided to go on PrEP was demographics; I am an African American gay male living in Metro Atlanta. Metro Atlanta has the third highest LGBT population in the country. We have a very diverse and cosmopolitan community. Also, Metro Atlanta has one of the most economically and political empowered African American communities in the country.

But both communities have a disproportionate amount of HIV infections, and the odds were stacked against me. In Metro Atlanta, over 60% of all African American gay/bisexual over 30 years old are HIV positive (according to Emory University) and Atlanta ranks Number one in all new HIV cases. Recent studies indicate half of those recently diagnosed have already progressed AIDS. I have seen close friends, a family member and a boyfriend succumb to the disease and I have feared HIV all of my adult life.

These numbers were very alarming and created a lot of anxiety, which caused a sense of fatalism. I have always placed boundaries on myself, but I started to go beyond my boundaries quite often.

Then I empowered myself; I decided that I was 100% responsible for my health and I re-educated myself about HIV and HIV prevention strategies. I went on a regular testing schedule. I was determined not to be a victim or just a statistic on a government chart.

Then I discovered PrEP from a couple of HIV Activist/Educators (Aaron Laxton and Walter Lee Hampton II) on You Tube and I wanted more information.

I went to a couple of AIDS/HIV Service Organization and was surprised and frustrated at the lack of information. In addition, I was also surprised about the lack of marketing by Gilead; the manufacturer of Truvada.

I called my Primary Care Physician and he never heard of PrEP. I kept running into stonewalls, this made me determined to find out more information; the internet was helpful, but I wanted more. I called Gilead and they sent me the forms for co-pay assistance and the necessary information. Then I called an Infectious Disease Specialist that specializes in the treatment of HIV and they were familiar with PrEP.

After the initial HIV test, I received the green light and started in the spring of last year.
Today, I feel more empowered and no longer fear and worry HIV. I am surprised how many of my contemporaries have never heard of PrEP despite the extensive coverage in the LGBT press and the main stream press.

I am spreading the word, and I hope this information is helpful to anyone considering PrEP. Take control of your sexual health, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

[VIDEO] Ken Like Barbie on PrEP in 3 Minutes

TA DA

Chicago's lovable, award winning vlogger Ken Like Barbie tells you what you need to know about PrEP in this shot, sweet video clip. 

 

[VIDEO] Garland from Chicago on participating in PrEP research

In the video below, Garland from Chicago discusses his participation in the iPrEx Open Label Study and taking Truvada as a way to prevent HIV infection. The iPrEx trial was the first study to show that an antiretroviral drug (ARV) - normally used to treat people living with HIV - could also be used to prevent HIV among people who are HIV-negative.

In July of 2012, the FDA approved the ARV drug Truvada for the prevention of HIV.

Thanks to the iPrEx team, My PrEP Experience will be sharing a number of videos from iPrEx study participants over the coming days and weeks. Check back often, or like our partner Project RSP! on FB and follow along with all the new videos that way.

If YOU are taking Truvada as PrEP, we'd love to hear your story. You can share your experience in a video, or you can write something up. Whatever you want to do - we want to hear your experience - whether taking Truvada as PrEP was a good experience or a bad experience - or anywhere in between. Email myprepexperience@gmail.com and let us know!
 

He protects me. So does PrEP.

Learn more about PrEP right on this page - check out the info links to the right, and scroll down to read personal stories from folks using PrEP. Learn from them.

Read our short fact sheet.

Click here for a CDC brochure to help you prepare for talking to your doctor about PrEP.

The CDC recently released PrEP guidance for clinicians. Click here. And let your medical provider know about this document (they may not.)

Share this page with boyfriends, hook ups, friends, strangers, people at the table next to you....

[LOVE] How to Make the ACA T’Werk for You

Oh…You said you don’t have Healthcare?

A series of clever, funny, and informative GIFs about Obamacare/Afforable Care Act courtesy of the Young Gay Black Men's Initiative.

The ACA was designed to decrease the number of uninsured Americans and reducing the overall costs of health care. Remember this is about you what is going to keep you healthy and living longer. Always keep that in mind as you go through this process.

This is really a gift to yourself and should be treated as such.

Check them out. Gigglz and learnz.

 

[VIDEO] Marcus Makes the Decision to Start PrEP With His Doc

[Video courtesy of Project Inform]

"I know I'm supposed to use a condom every time. I've heard this like all my life. But if I'm honest, I don't always do it - whether it's him or me."

Marcus is just starting out on his own. His own apartment. Interested in music. Getting out on the dating circuit. Here, Marcus talks about not always using a condom and why PrEP may be right for him because he wonders if he can trust what the other guy says about his status.




Project Inform is a great resource for info on PrEP. Click here.

Learning Lessons and Taking Action to Keep Myself Safe - Jermaine Brooks on PrEP

by Jermaine Brooks, via Positively Aware's recent "Let's Talk about PrEP" issue 

What would life be like if we didn’t make mistakes?

Many of us try to map out our lives in hopes that things will go according to plan. The truth is that no matter how hard we try, there will always be something that catches us by surprise. A surprise is what actually started my journey with PrEP.

It was 2009, I had just started college and was living on my own for the first time. So as not to get too personal, let’s just say that it was a time of “finding myself” and much sexual exploration. Things were going pretty well for me and, for the most part, I would say that I was growing into a responsible young man (especially compared to what some of my peers were doing). But no one is perfect, and occasional slip-ups with condoms led to an “STI scare” that completely changed everything for me.

I share everything with my uncle, Keith Green (well…almost everything). At the time, he was working on a study about PrEP at the county hospital. When I told him about my scare, he suggested that I consider taking part in the study.

"Just weighing the options can teach one how to relate to their body and treat it with respect."

Of course I had many questions about how this actually worked and if I would be in any danger if I did start taking the drug. My uncle told me what he knew about PrEP, all of the benefits and potential challenges, and suggested that I speak with the study nurses for more information. That led to even more questions!

Mildly apprehensive but very intrigued, I decided to enroll in the study and to continue to educate myself about PrEP in the process. When I first started, they were still testing the drug and some people were actually placed on a placebo. But I knew from the very beginning that I was actually receiving the real thing.

 Read the rest here.

[Chicago October 17] Raw Sex Just Got Safer?

The PrEP Experience Talk Show and Mini Ball 

Join hosts Prince Magneto Ebony and Father Memphis Khan, and expert guests, to talk about the pill that can actually prevent HIV (called PrEP). Ball categories (with cash prizes) include OTA Realness and OTA Performance.

Light refreshments and appetizers. And YOU.

Brought to you by National Youth Pride Services, Care2Prevent, and Project RSP!

CLICK  for more info and to RSVP.

WATCH: Famous Chicago vlogger Ken Like Barbie explains PrEP in this short video.

[VIDEO] Voices of Choice - Garland from Chicago Talks About Being in the iPrEx Open Label PrEP Trial

In the video below, Garland from Chicago discusses his participation in the iPrEx Open Label Study and taking Truvada as a way to prevent HIV infection. The iPrEx trial was the first study to show that an antiretroviral drug (ARV) - normally used to treat people living with HIV - could also be used to prevent HIV among people who are HIV-negative.

In July of 2012, the FDA approved the ARV drug Truvada for the prevention of HIV.

Thanks to the iPrEx team, My PrEP Experience will be sharing a number of videos from iPrEx study participants over the coming days and weeks. Check back often, or like our partner Project RSP! on FB and follow along with all the new videos that way.

If YOU are taking Truvada as PrEP, we'd love to hear your story. You can share your experience in a video, or you can write something up. Whatever you want to do - we want to hear your experience - whether taking Truvada as PrEP was a good experience or a bad experience - or anywhere in between. Email myprepexperience@gmail.com and let us know!

From Personal to Professional: Alan Johnson writes about his PrEP experience

 by Alan Johnson, MPH, excerpt from Positively Aware's recent "Let's Talk about PrEP" issue  

"I attribute my high adherence rate to knowing that PrEP will only work if you take it. I always carry a few doses with me and my iPhone alarm always reminds me to take my medication."

I first heard about PrEP at a community meeting a couple of years ago, after it was shown to be an effective prevention method in human studies. I decided to look into PrEP further when the FDA approved the prescription drug Truvada as prevention for those who are at high risk for acquiring HIV. In yet another community meeting soon after FDA approval, I learned that some insurance companies were planning to cover most of the cost for treatment. I also learned that patient assistance programs from the maker of the drug, Gilead Sciences, have been extended to those taking Truvada as PrEP. 

Though I have a background in public health (primarily sexual health research and direct prevention and care services), I found that the more I heard about PrEP, the more questions I had.

If I was interested in actually taking PrEP, how would I afford it?

Was I even truly at “high risk” for acquiring HIV?

Would I have adverse reactions to the meds?

How would I overcome my internalized fear and the stigma associated with actually reaching the pharmacy counter and receiving the prescription?

What if someone I know sees the Truvada label laying around my apartment and Googles it?

Would they think that I was HIV-positive?

Read the rest here. 

MUST READ: Let's Talk About PrEP - Special Issue on PrEP from Positively Aware

Check out this special summer issue from Positively Aware on PrEP. Contents include personal stories from real people using PrEP, updates from the world's leading scientists, and tips on how to pay for PrEP. Good stuff, must read!

Click here to access the full issue.

PrEP Demo Project for Black Men Who Have Sex With Men - LEARN MORE

Today, after a great deal of advocacy, planning, and preparation, the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) has begun the process of screening men for potential enrollment in the landmark study, HPTN 073. 

HPTN 073 is a demonstration study evaluating pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) Initiation and adherence among HIV negative Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) at three of the HPTN’s United States research sites.

Men in the Chapel Hill, NC area will be enrolled through the University of North Carolina (UNC), in Los Angeles, CA through the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), and in Washington, DC through the George Washington University (GWU).   

#PrEPChat

Twitter Chat and Webinar August 14

There is a Twitter chat scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, 2013 to learn more. The event will start at 1PM ET with the chat hosted on HPTN’s @HIVptn Twitter page. That same day, at 2PM ET, there will be a webinar on this topic as well. Register for this free webinar here.

Watch a short video about HPTN 073 here.

You can also read the fact sheet on HPTN 073 embedded below.

HPTN 073 Fact Sheet