Biktarvy nPEP (It worked!)
I'm writing this post to encourage all of those going through the same journey. The anxiety is real, but keep taking the medicine as instructed by your doctor and stay strong. Trust PEP, and you will be fine in the end.
My exposure was receptive anal sex with ejaculation for at least two times (don't remember the exact number because I was drunk). The source was with another man who said he was on daily PrEP, and have regular hook-ups.
I went to the doctor at 10 hours after exposure. The doctor recommended me Biktarvy to be taken as PEP. It was prescribed to me by the doc because of my very high risk exposure and the status of my contact cannot be traced.
During PEP, I experienced fatigue, extreme thirst and mild rashes over the whole body. Even at 12 weeks after exposure, I still have very mild rashes (the doctor suspected it to be related to environmental pollution because all my blood works are clear and it is more like vasodilation under subcutaneous tissue rather than typical rash)
I tested NEGATIVE with 4th gen lab test and HIV NAAT at 2 weeks after PEP. And today, 8 weeks after PEP, I also tested NEGATIVE with 4th gen lab test.
The anxiety is no joke, especially during the waiting period after PEP. I try meditation to relieve my anxiety, and I also told my family about the exposure. Thankfully, they supported me throughout this journey.
And also keep in my mind that symptoms cannot diagnose HIV. If you have doubtful symptoms, discuss with the doc and get tested. But mostly, it's just the anxiety messing with us.
I hope all of those going through this PEP journey come out clean in the end. Stay safe in the future, and make smarter choice as taking PrEP. Be also aware of other STIs.