WARREN

Knowing that PrEP is effective in preventing HIV, was a huge anxiety relief for me.

I grew up in a little rural country town 2 hours south of Brisbane. Growing up there was hard as I was scared about coming out and how my friends would treat me, and if they would even still want to be my friends. I was very lucky when I did come out that all my friends and family supported me, but I still didn't feel like I was living the life I wanted.

I moved to Brisbane in 2017 and that's when I feel like my life began. I joined an inclusive gay rugby team called the Brisbane Hustlers, and then 4 years afterwards took up my latest hobby, pole fitness. I started pole fitness to help build my core strength and also flexibility for rugby but I didn't think I would fall in love with it. My favourite part are the reactions I get when people see me. I'm a short chubby stocky man so I'm not the average pole dancer. So, when people see me spin around upside down with just holding on with my legs, the reactions are priceless.

When I did make the move to Brisbane, I was very curious and in the community a lot, which is the reason why I'm on PrEP. I’ve been on PrEP for 7 years. I take ‘Daily PrEP’ which just means I take PrEP once a day. I have a routine where I have it with breakfast and also have a reminder on my phone calendar, just so I don’t forget. But there were a few steps I had to make before starting.

How I get PrEP

The first step was to look for a clinic in my area that prescribes PrEP, so I called a local clinic, and made my PrEP appointment.

The clinician was gay friendly and answered all my questions, and together we made the decision to start the process. I had my blood, urine and swabs taken, right there, and just needed to wait a week or so for results. At the follow-up appointment the clinician explained how to take PrEP, then gave me my prescription with two repeats (so access to three bottles of PrEP). I then need to return for a follow up visit in 3 months, to do the same tests, and get my second prescription.

If you don’t have a Medicare card, there are clinics in Queensland where no Medicare card is required, and the appointment is still free.

Click HERE more information on Medicare ineligible clinics.

Where to get PrEP?

I take my prescription to an instore pharmacy. It costs me only $30, as I now have a Medicare card and can access the PBS. But without a Medicare card, it’s still affordable for only $50 a bottle. There are also cheaper options for everyone, by purchasing PrEP online.

Online pharmacies are cheaper (around $20 a month) and it takes around a week or 2 to get your PrEP delivered to your door. It comes in discrete packaging so no one will know what’s inside the package. You simply take a photo or scan your PrEP prescription and make payment online.

Click HERE to find recommended online pharmacies.

For me it's the feeling of safety and not having any anxiety while I play around with others.

I'd love to see more people on the community on PrEP or at least educate themselves on it. There is still a huge stigma of HIV and people living in fear. I find PrEP cheap and easily accessible. I encourage all Asian men to protect themselves from HIV with PrEP.