Question about dosage - anyone heard of measuring in amps?

[cornybaby]

Today was my consultation after my first failed IVF cycle. We were talking about what changes he will make to my protocol for the next round. First cycle, I was on gonal-f and menopur. He called this cycle a "5 down 3" - measuring in "amps". This meant I was on 225 units of gonal-f and 2 menopurs for 2 days, then it was lowered to 150 units of gonal and 1 menopur. He says my next cycle will be "8 down 6" - again measured in amps. I know that this means he will be almost doubling the doses, but I am curious if anyone else has heard this lingo - and what it means. I am trying to figure out how much of each I will be taking now. I feel like I'm desperate to see a drastic change in protocol in hopes of responding better, so I guess I am trying to figure out how this translates to what I will be measuring out when I do my injections. I will call the nurse tomorrow and ask I guess...just wondering if anyone else has heard of this before???

[2ndtimer]

Amps is an old medical term. Some drugs used to come in ampules instead of little bottles. You'd have to carefully break the top off & then use a filtered needle draw up the med to prevent glass particles from going into the syringe. I don't think it's used much anymore. Your MD is probably "old school." Unfortunately I think you'll have to wait until the nurse clarifies. I'm a nurse and sometimes an older MD will still write an order for a drug to be given in "grains" instead of mg's. That's pretty confusing too!
2ndtimer

[cornybaby]

Thanks 2nd timer! My RE is DEFINITELY old school. I was trying to back into the math, and from my last round, it seems like 1 amp is 75 units. The nurse is going to call me today, so hopefully the mystery will be solved soon!

[starstudded98]

My first cycle w/stims was in amps because that's how they came from europe. I'm not sure where you are getting your meds from, but maybe that is why he is using that lingo. But mine didn't come with filtered needles, yikes!

[cornybaby]

Ok - I talked to the nurse. I still don't totally get the math, but she did clarify that this time I will be on 450 gonal-f and 2 menopurs for 2 days and then reduce to 300 gonal and 2 menopurs. Hopefully this will be enough to get my little follies to grow! Should have a lupron start date of either 1/14 or 1/21. I'm feeling better now that I have some clarification and have an idea of the timing. Yay!