7 ms·

Personally, I wish what would really get attention in the realm of HIV treatments is invention and subsequent spread of "prevention" drugs like PrEP (significan

by ausbah 8y ago

Personally, I wish what would really get attention in the realm of HIV treatments is invention and subsequent spread of "prevention" drugs like PrEP (significantly lowering chances of getting HIV if taken daily) and PEP ("fight off" HIV if possibly exposed to it in the last 72 hours), in addition to amazingly high level of quality that HIV therapies have reached such that if HIV can't be detected - its effectively untransmittable. Not trying to draw attention away from the potential significance of the article, would just like more of the "widespread", effective treatments get a little light.

joshlittle 8y ago
Not gonna disagree; the treatments are good and getting better for PLWHs - side effects are nearly nonexistent on the day to day and better than they were in the long run. And PrEP / nPEP are miracles at reducing seroconversions in high risk groups/persons exposed. We do need a cure. The damage done to the body of an HIV positive person who’s undetectable, on HAART/meds is progressive, permanent, and irreversible. Even on treatment, chronic inflammation of the immune system adds a lot of undue stress to the body. While I’m not at risk for any AIDS defining illnesses/cancers, I’ve still got a very high risk of other cancers compared to someone who’s HIV-negative. I’m grateful for laws protecting people like me with pre existing conditions - which forces my insurance company to fully cover my $6000 US/mo in HAART treatment. (Symtuza/Tivicay if curious) What’s the amount of money big pharma will make over the course of my life alone? Millions if they can keep this up. How great could life be without HIV in it for good? I’d like to find out, or at least maybe get my doctor to stop asking me to fill out an advanced care directive. I’m thankful otherwise that at 32 I’m fit, in perfect health, and undetectable. Someday I hope i’ll change my status to “cured.”
torstenvl 8y ago
I'm on PrEP. It was astoundingly hard to get on. So many primary care doctors have no idea what it is or why to prescribe it.
- rickycook 8y ago
  in australia at least these days, i’ve gone to arbitrary doctors for my 3mo tests and things and almost always they’ve offered to prescribe me PrEP... i’m already on it, but it seems here it’s being promoted by almost everyone!
- collyw 8y ago
  I am curious why you take it when here are other non-drug means of prevention - i.e condoms, abstaining from sex, sticking with one partner.
  - Cthulhu_ 8y ago
    There's some bastards who go around in clubs and prick people with infected needles. There's a subculture in some communities that believe that everyone should have HIV.
    - deleted 8y ago
      [deleted]
    - collyw 8y ago
      Is it enough of a threat that people take drugs beacause of it? It seems like wearing a kevlar vest every time you go out to avoid being stabbed and no normal person does that.
    - isostatic 8y ago
      Citation needed Here’s a debunk https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/hiv-infected-needle-attacks/ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/hiv-infected-needle-attack...
  - tallanvor 8y ago
    Seriously? Condoms break. People enjoy sex. Telling people not to have sex is BS. Monogamy is great if you can find the right person. Many don't, or don't find them for a long time.
taurath 8y ago
I just wish the financial system around getting it wasn't so complicated. Its a $2000/mo drug - even if you have private insurance, you probably are gonna end up with $1k out of pocket after the manufacturer discount. If you're broke and have a high deductible, you have to pay through the whole deductible every January to get your refill. If you change providers and its not timed perfectly, you're out the $1k out of pocket cost until you can snail-mail in the form and get reimbursed. It ends up that only the more financially stable, or medicare-eligible people can afford it, and even then its a significant hassle. I'd consider it very worth the piece of mind but its a financial landmine. Not to be negative on it. If you're thinking you should be on it, you probably should. Be prepared to jump through a few hoops though.

by ausbah 8y ago

joshlittle 8y ago

Not gonna disagree; the treatments are good and getting better for PLWHs - side effects are nearly nonexistent on the day to day and better than they were in the long run. And PrEP / nPEP are miracles at reducing seroconversions in high risk groups/persons exposed. We do need a cure. The damage done to the body of an HIV positive person who’s undetectable, on HAART/meds is progressive, permanent, and irreversible. Even on treatment, chronic inflammation of the immune system adds a lot of undue stress to the body. While I’m not at risk for any AIDS defining illnesses/cancers, I’ve still got a very high risk of other cancers compared to someone who’s HIV-negative. I’m grateful for laws protecting people like me with pre existing conditions - which forces my insurance company to fully cover my $6000 US/mo in HAART treatment. (Symtuza/Tivicay if curious) What’s the amount of money big pharma will make over the course of my life alone? Millions if they can keep this up. How great could life be without HIV in it for good? I’d like to find out, or at least maybe get my doctor to stop asking me to fill out an advanced care directive. I’m thankful otherwise that at 32 I’m fit, in perfect health, and undetectable. Someday I hope i’ll change my status to “cured.”

torstenvl 8y ago

I'm on PrEP. It was astoundingly hard to get on. So many primary care doctors have no idea what it is or why to prescribe it.

rickycook 8y ago
in australia at least these days, i’ve gone to arbitrary doctors for my 3mo tests and things and almost always they’ve offered to prescribe me PrEP... i’m already on it, but it seems here it’s being promoted by almost everyone!
collyw 8y ago
I am curious why you take it when here are other non-drug means of prevention - i.e condoms, abstaining from sex, sticking with one partner.
- Cthulhu_ 8y ago
  There's some bastards who go around in clubs and prick people with infected needles. There's a subculture in some communities that believe that everyone should have HIV.
  - deleted 8y ago
    [deleted]
  - collyw 8y ago
    Is it enough of a threat that people take drugs beacause of it? It seems like wearing a kevlar vest every time you go out to avoid being stabbed and no normal person does that.
  - isostatic 8y ago
    Citation needed Here’s a debunk https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/hiv-infected-needle-attacks/ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/hiv-infected-needle-attack...
- tallanvor 8y ago
  Seriously? Condoms break. People enjoy sex. Telling people not to have sex is BS. Monogamy is great if you can find the right person. Many don't, or don't find them for a long time.

taurath 8y ago

I just wish the financial system around getting it wasn't so complicated. Its a $2000/mo drug - even if you have private insurance, you probably are gonna end up with $1k out of pocket after the manufacturer discount. If you're broke and have a high deductible, you have to pay through the whole deductible every January to get your refill. If you change providers and its not timed perfectly, you're out the $1k out of pocket cost until you can snail-mail in the form and get reimbursed. It ends up that only the more financially stable, or medicare-eligible people can afford it, and even then its a significant hassle. I'd consider it very worth the piece of mind but its a financial landmine. Not to be negative on it. If you're thinking you should be on it, you probably should. Be prepared to jump through a few hoops though.