This is technically part two of my PrEP journey. It might read well on its own, but if you don’t read Part 1 you’re missing out on one hell of a good time. 

 

So to refresh: after much debate, research and fighting with my manfriend. (Can we agree that at some point boys become men?) I decided that I would take 1 pill daily to aid in the prevention of AIDS. Really, go back and read Part 1, I talk about the potential side effects and how I got to this point.

 

I chose to get my PrEP from YHep (Youth Health Empowerment Project) because it proved to be the closest location to my apartment. I made an appointment for my preliminary visit, which I was hoping wouldn’t be a commitment to starting PrEP, but rather a consultation where I’d have an opportunity to ask questions about the information I had found online.  

 

After what seemed to be like the world's LONGEST week, the Monday of my appointment had finally arrived. Nervous, I opened the door marked 1417 Locust and followed the arrows to the second floor. I stood outside the door and for some reason I could feel my heart pounding. I never thought I’d be this nervous to start a conversation with a doctor. I’m a really outspoken person; jokingly, my mom would always say “you really were born without the embarrassment gene” as I ran around the mall singing whatever pop song was popular in the early 2000’s. After a solid minute I took a deep breath and opened the door. I was a bit taken aback by the circus themed waiting room, but didn’t hesitate to make a b-line for the receptionist desk. I was asked to hand over my insurance card and my license, neither of which are required for a PrEP prescription, and the receptionist handed me a clipboard. I took my seat and began to fill out some routine, albeit personal, information.  

 

The YHep waiting room was filled with a handful of characters that were loud and visibly regulars. I was hoping they would be a distraction to my nerves, but I actually found the room to be a bit overwhelming. A fellow patient asked if I wanted to watch him eat his brownie “seductively,” which I politely passed on. As quick as I could, I handed my forms back to the receptionist and got lost on my phone (read: Facebook, Grindr, Instagram, Email, rinse, and repeat). I lost track of time, and was eventually called back into a more private setting. 

 

Immediately, the nurse (doctor?) could tell I was a bit disheveled and overwhelmed and nervous… And a whole lot more.  

“First time here on a Monday?” she asked.

“First time here, ever” I replied.

“In the future, schedule an appointment for any day but Monday! Monday’s are our walk-in day, you never know who or what is going to show up!” she quipped, cheerfully.

 

Without missing a beat she explained to me the process of today’s precursory visit: 

"1. We’ll get you tested for everything, because regardless of whether you start PrEP or not, it’s good to know your statuses.

"2. You’ll come back to meet with me to ask your questions and get information.

"3. You’ll head to the next room over to talk about covering cost, if all goes according to plan, you won’t pay a thing for the pills!"

 

Her precision and speed comforted me, and before I knew it, I was in yet another childishly decorated room getting poked and prodded. They had accessed my records and were notified I had not been vaccinated for Hepatitis A (I tried to make a HepV True Blood joke, she wasn’t having it), so that vaccination was taken care of while I was having blood drawn. I peed in a cup (without making a mess!) and had to anally probe myself with a cotton swab (it’s been quite a long time since that area has been explored…). 10 minutes later, I was back in room #1 with my original care provider.  

 

She gave me the run down on the history of PrEP/ Truvada and asked me if I had any questions, which I did…

"How will this pill mix with other drugs/ alcohol?"

"You’re fine taking everything but PCP"

"How will you make sure my liver/ kidneys don’t fail?" (Potential side effect.) 

"You’ll have your urine tested every 3 months to look for irregularities."

 

Those were the only two questions I was left with after her lengthy speech. I could summarize it for you, but it’d be long and boring so instead I advise you to check out this pretty infographic – http://men.prepfacts.org/the-questions/

 

So then the question came: "are you ready to have a prescription filled for PrEP?" I had been anticipating this moment since I arrived and ignored the seductive brownie eating… Surprisingly, the answer sprung from my mouth confidently.

 

“Yes, sign me up!" I touted.

 

She produced the next batch of paperwork and told me I would not be receiving the pills today. I’d have to wait until my lab results came back, and at that time, I could have my prescription filled at a pharmacy or get the pills from YHep. Either way, I had to meet in room #3 with a third consultant. This woman was equipped to do two things: one, persuade me to sign up to be a part of a study (which didn’t take much persuading, I love helping people!), and two, describing my options on how to pay for PrEP. Before she even got into the “meat” of the conversation she assured me that I’d pay no more than $10, and she’d do her best to make PrEP free for me.  

 

After a not so lengthy discussion, she told me thanks to GILIAD my PrEP would cost me nothing, and all I had to do was fill out 2 more forms and I’d be on my way. 

 

So 2 hours later, with what must be early on-set of carpal tunnel, I was walking out the door with an internal countdown until I took my first dose. I was to come back in 7 days to get my STD screening results, and my first prescription fill of that little blue pill.

 

What happens when I take my first pill? You’ll need to read next week's “Popping PrEP."