Bwana_LB

(Copied from elsewhere. No indication of how long approval might take or cost, but this is a huge improvement on the best PrEP available now) Gilead, a California based pharmaceutical company, announced on Thursday (20 June 2024) that it was ending the phase 3, blinded clinical trial of its new, twice-a-year shot for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV, lenacapavir, because it is too effective. In this sort of clinical trial, some participants are randomly assigned to the new intervention that's under investigation (i.e. lenacapavir) and some are randomly assigned to the current standard of care (i.e. Truvada or Descovy, PrEP pills that must be taken every day). Why? Because it would be unethical to use placebo when we know that once-daily PrEP pills do prevent HIV. The trial is also "blinded" to prevent investigator bias from influencing the results – to the maximum extent practicable, the investigators carrying out the research do not know, while the trial is being carried out, which participants are getting which treatment, nor do they know how effective those treatments are. But an Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) has access to all of the data. The IDMC can see, while the trial is ongoing, which participants have gotten which interventions, and they can see how effective those interventions are. The IDMC saw that none of the 2,134 women who received the twice-yearly injection of lenacapavir developed HIV. 0 cases of HIV in any of the participants assigned to lenacapavir. There were 16 cases of HIV in the 1,068 women assigned to Truvada. There were 39 cases of HIV in the 2,136 women assigned to Descovy. At that point, the IDMC has an ethical duty to recommend the blinded trial be stopped, and all of the participants assigned to Truvada and Descovy be offered lenacapavir. Why? Because they know lenacapavir works, it is superior to either Truvada or Descovy, and once that fact has been established, it would be unethical to deny participants the option to receive the more effective PrEP option of lenacapavir. Lenacapavir is not the first injectable PrEP agent. FDA approved "apretude" in 2021; it must be injected every other month. The game changing nature of lenacapavir is that it only requires two injections per year in order to achieve 100% efficacy.

I've never heard of a pharmacy declining to sell w/o a prescription. LB Pharmacy on lower Suk certainly will sell you any basic prescription.

I had stomach and bowel issues with Truvada. I quite taking it and decided to just be extra vigilant about being covered at the appropriate times. I have not tried Descovy, but have friends who said they had similar stomach and bowel issues.

It took me years to get over that Rolex I purchased at the corner of Soi 4 and Soi 6.

That's the place. Not surprised it's gone. I think the hotel was a bit bothered to learn that they were hosting a club full of working girls.

It's been a long time since I stayed there. I liked the hotel itself. Good rooms and facilities. When I stayed there they had a dance club that attracted freelancers (all gg as far as I could tell), and they all asked premium prices.

I have invited afternoon treats to the pool. About 25% have taken me up on the offer. But... CanadaVisitor's first two points are on target. The girls have mainly stayed in the shade, under a pool umbrella. And most will get in the pool but not get their hair wet. Some just sit with their feet dangling in the water. At least half tell me they don't know how to swim. But a few have jumped in and taken full advantage of the pool. Mostly we just sit, talk, and have something to drink.

Yes, let them heal. The ulcers are a pathway for infections of many sorts (not just HIV) to enter your system. Also, the ulcers themselves MAY reflect an active case of HPV. Most HPV cases will clear on their own and are not dangerous, but some types of HPV are precancerous.

The lower rates at the Mercure didn't last long. The room I paid $78US a night for in late January has gone up to $102US. Better than the $125 they had been asking, but rates seem pretty fluid these days, thanks to dynamic pricing systems.

Patience. Rates very frequently drop about two months out. I was looking to book a room at the Mercure Soi 11 for late January arrival. In early Nov. the advertised rate was about $125. In mid-Nov. the rate dropped to $78, and I booked. Not sure what you're looking to pay, but I see that the rates at the Mercure Soi 11 are as low as $73 in March. Citrus Suites is asking $88 for their executive suite, which is a huge room.

I have been unable to locate the topic where a few of us were discussing the high prices in BKK for hotels this high season. The discussion included how high the asking prices were at the Mercure on Soi 11, among other regular haunts. Oliver and I both suggested that BMs wait a bit to book places, as prices would often drop for bookings closer to one's travel dates. Drop they did. I was tracking the prices at the Mercure, and for my trip dates (arriving late January) the rate for the room I wanted had been in the neighborhood of $120/night. Well, on Friday they dropped to $77. That rate includes a 5% discount for Accor Live Limitless members (free to join) and a discount for a stay of 7 nights or longer. Given the advantages of this hotel (nice rooms, good pool, and location!), I grabbed it. Life is always sweeter when that next return trip has been booked.

It is literally steps away from Soi 11 on Sukhumvit. BIG sign! I'm not sure what the attraction is. Beer is cheap but food is lousy.

No problem doing so at Citrus Soi 6.

If money is literally no issue (nor is location), my neighbors (a very, very wealthy Thai couple) INSIST that the only choice is the Capella Bangkok, located on the river. Most of the truly exceptional 5-star hotels are on the riverfront (the Mandarin Oriental, the Peninsula, the Siam). My neighbors put me up at the Capella when I came out for their youngest daughter's wedding. It was spectacular, but a miserable location for bringing back LBs. I think even the most brazen of us would feel uncomfortable bring a LB in through their lobby. I've stayed at the JW Marriott many times (used to have a great govt. rate). It's fine, and the location is great, but the rooms are nothing special. I think the rooms at the Hyatt Regency are actually nicer. I'm perfectly comfortable with "lesser" accommodations now, and my go-to place is the Mercure Soi 11.

I'll be interested in your review. Soi 11 is a great location. There's plenty of excellent food on Soi 11, a lively freelancer scene at night, and--depending on your mood--you're steps away from the LBs and Cindy's and the GGs at Lusty Lady. That's why Mercure has become my BKK base.