robear

"HIV immunity is extremely rare, with most people susceptible to infection. However, some individuals possess natural resistance due to genetic mutations (like CCR5-Δ32) that block the virus from entering cells. While no absolute vaccine exists, research into these resistant individuals and immune responses, such as neutralizing antibodies, is ongoing." That blurb is AI, but it references NIH documentation. There is ongoing research into factors that seem to protect individuals. From the earliest days it has been anecdotally apparent that some few individuals remained negative event after repeated, unprotected exposure to the virus. Others contract the virus but never become ill.

Social media is a public platform, the virtual soapbox on the streetcorner. I agree it would be silly and rather pointless to try to vet potential hires for their social and political views if those views aren't publicly blasted on Twitter or whatever, or became part of our interaction. But if said hire makes it a point to blast his filth publicly it becomes part of the package. It's tells us who and what he is. A provider like that would be a hard no for me no matter how attractive physically.

Luck, condoms, and probably natural resistance. I came of age in the late 70s, and I was a busy little slut. Baths, bookstores, bushes, back rooms, they all saw me several times a week. When what would become AIDS came on the scene in the early 80s, one of the first insights was that condoms helped prevent spread. As a top, I became consistently condom compliant, I simply did not fuck without a condom (and I did a LOT of fucking). I never used condoms for oral as recommended by some (who did?), and I am an avid cocksucker. In the darkest days of the 80s, the mindset was "we're all gonna die, so why worry." I wasn't first tested for HIV until 1996, I just ASSUMED I had to have it, but at least using condoms helped prevent ME from giving it to someone else. Despite my activities, the only experience I had with STDs were Hep-B in college and a few mild cases of what was then called non-gonococcal urethritis (probably chlamydia), and intestinal parasites (my busy little tongue got around), both of which were easily treated. My PCP has commented that I must have a really healthy immune system, even at an advanced age I rarely get even a head cold, so I believe that natural protection came into play for me, too. Now I take the little blue pill every day, not so much because my current sex life demands it, but because I CAN. What a different world we gay men would live in today if that pill had existed in 1982. I do it for fallen comrades (weird as that may sound).

Thanks for the thoughtful and informed responses. At the age of 70 my use of PrEP is part of a largely hypothetical sex life, and is more in the line of honoring fallen comrades: I take it because I can. (I know that sounds silly, but it makes sense in my world.) I whored my way through the late 70s well into the PrEP era unscathed, and in my day my body count was sometimes prodigious, so concerns about HIV are historically manageable for me with or without prophylaxis. My thought now is that the loss of any small measure of "vitality" caused by a PrEP regimen might not be worth it. I could try going back to generic Truvada, or drop it altogether. (It seems likely that the current 100% coverage under Medicare Part B will come into the crosshairs of the current regime at some point, anyway, necessitating a return to generic Truvada.) I'll continue to monitor, I have a 6-mo checkup with my PCP in March and will ask him to order another blood panel at that time.

My last CBC showed my RBC as 3.27 and hemaglobin at 12.5. These are quite low and described by more than one doctor as "slightly anemic." All other blood counts as well as my comprehensive panel are fine. My PCP checked my folate and iron levels, they are normal. The low counts were first noted during pre-surgical testing about a year ago, and the doctor's comment was that it could be because I'm taking Descovy for PrEP. The University of Google says this is a known but rare side effect of the med. My counts have not been historically low, including the period when I was taking Truvada, the low counts seem to more or less track with my switch to Descovy. My question for the panel is, has anyone else experienced red blood cell suppression with PrEP meds?

This is a tangled topic, but just jumping in to say I've been very pleased with my medigap type G+ plan. Two surgeries and a hospitalization, among other things this year and I never needed pre-approval or other nonsense from a for-profit insurer. Gap plans ARE more expensive upfront (premiums, deductibles, etc.) and so may be unrealistic for some, but there's peace of mind knowing your needed procedure isn't at the whim of a CEO shopping for his second yacht. I strongly urge any American over 60 to register with medicare.gov. Don't wait until you're 65+. For a government resource it's remarkably useful and gives a clear picture of your options, insurers and providers in your location, and comparative costs.

Hi Axiom, as I'm naive as can be about drug things, is Lemonade referring to a THC preparation or something else? I have found that an edible is my friend before an encounter. The Cialis works so much better with it. (Obviously, brain stuff going on there.) But the term Lemonade is new to me.

Like a lot of things in this realm ("tantra" anyone), the words mean whatever the user wants them to mean. There is no universal meaning, nor are there any specific qualifications to offer services. Allen Silver, whom I've seen both for massage and SI sessions, is based in SF. As a guide, he has a very useful list of possible goals for an SI session on his website. It might give you some guidance in communicating with him, or other providers. If you don't want a generic experience, it's important to have a goal for the session (um, be realistic in what can transpire in an hour or two), and to communicate those goals as clearly as possible to the provider. I would say the first requirement for an effective provider is that he listen actively to the client's needs. https://www.allensi.com/index.php/what

Got mine last Thursday, the tenth for me. When I booked at Duane-Reade/Walgreens the week before, in NY, I was told they required a doctor's prescription which he sent through. In the event, just a week later, the pharmacist said they no longer required it but patients of any age, or their guardians, must "attest" that they have a special need for coverage. This is the three-ring circus preventive healthcare in America is being reduced to.

My new kitchen crush https://www.youtube.com/@cookingfromspain

Not really a "retreat," but an annual week-long gathering of 500+ gay/bi/whatever naked men at a sleepaway camp facility in in the Poconos https://www.gaynaturists.org

Pasha is one of the best! Excellent technique, and he's grown from handsome twunk to muscle daddy and I'm here for it!! I'd never live through Milo's treatment, but happy to see Pasha!! Thanks for this post.

If you’re not eligible for the no-cost Medicare B benefit, current price for 90 days at Cost Plus Drugs is 32.19 + 5.00 https://www.costplusdrugs.com/medications/emtricitabine-tenofovir-df-200mg-300mg-bottle-of-tablets/

Agree, great benefit … for now. I don’t expect it to last in the current environment

All kinks are "weird" on some level, that's what makes them kinds. And fun!!

Axiom, good luck to you. You are right to seek a new provider if your current doctor doesn't have your full confidence -- for whatever reason. Not only the surgeon, but their team, surgical facility, and rehab support are crucial. As they say, do your research. If you've identified someone you really want, I urge you to try to make that happen. I know logistics can be difficult, and your circumstances may make it impossible, but peace of mind is gold. Note my procedure was day surgery, operating room at 8AM, out the door by 2. That's definitely not always the possible, so YMMV.

So ten days out from TKR surgery. All is going well, although a little surprised at how slow basic recovery is -- I'm aware that full recovery can take up to a year. Also had a hip done five years ago which was waaaaay easier. Share your TKR stories!

Absolutely!. Any use of tobacco, including godforbid chewing tobacco, is a BLECHHHHH to me and instant turnoff.