Newbie, trying to start with Sleepyhead

[booksfan]

Hi, I've been using a CPAP for about 2 weeks. I've not found a mask I like yet, and have not slept through the night. I ordered a FlashAir card so I could use SleepyHead software, since MyAir gives virtually no info. The card came today and I've downloaded the software. However, I can't figure out how to use the card! I know that makes me sound technologically challenged, which I haven't found to be true in the past. Can you helpful people direct me to somewhere I can find some directions so I can get started?

TIA!

Eileen

[Walla Walla]

Do a search for flashAir up above. There's lots of links describing how to set up a FlashAir card.

[Crimson Nape]

Hi, I've been using a CPAP for about 2 weeks. I've not found a mask I like yet, and have not slept through the night. I ordered a FlashAir card so I could use SleepyHead software, since MyAir gives virtually no info. The card came today and I've downloaded the software. However, I can't figure out how to use the card! I know that makes me sound technologically challenged, which I haven't found to be true in the past. Can you helpful people direct me to somewhere I can find some directions so I can get started?

TIA!

Eileen

Hi booksfan -
I will attempt to clear up some misconceptions that you may have.

First, #Sleepyhead (link is embedded in the name) is analytical software and doesn't offer any communication capability. SleepyHead can only import data from an SD card, certain Oximeters, or a directory on your computer.

Second, the FlashAir SD card provides for wireless communication of your data as opposed to physically downloading the directly from the SD card.

Third, In order for the FlashAir to be of use, you will need to install a free program that will communicate with the FlashAir and download its contents to your PC.  Either Sleep Master or FlashPAP are the programs that will provide the communication link.

Here are the links:
Sleep Master:  http://www.sleepmaster.org/
FlashPAP:   http://www.cognitial.com/flashpap/flashpap.htm

Good Luck!

[MitchS]

Hello, Eileen. Here are  couple of links regarding the FlashAir SD card.

CPAP Wireless SD Card for The Rest of Us
WiFi SD Card Data-transfer to ResScan & SH for The Rest of Us

Hope they help you.


Sleep well,
Mitch

[DeepBreathing]

Hi Eileen, welcome to Apnea Board.

You don't actually need a FlashAir card or the supporting software to use #SleepyHead. You just need an ordinary SD card like you'd get from any camera or electronics shop. When you want to see your data, just pop the card out of your machine and insert it into the slot on your computer. (If your computer doesn't have an SD card slot you can buy a card reader for a few dollars - the card goes in the reader and the reader goes into a USB socket on your computer).

I'm a firm believer in the KISS principle, and try not to make things any more complicated than they have to be.

[HalfAsleep]

Now that you have input on SleepyHead, I'll address the mask issue.

What mask do you have? What masks have you tried? What kinds of problems are you having with the mask? Sometimes SleepyHead can provide some clues, but you may know the cause(s) already.

[booksfan]

Thank you all for the help!
I did realize that Sleepyhead was just analytical software. I had downloaded it and tried (but apparently failed!) to download Sleepmaster software to communicate the data between the FlashAir card and Sleepyhead. I had some kind of tool open up, but it didn't work. But thank you, Pupcamper, the step-by-step guide you linked was great and using FlashPAP I now have data from last night! Just have to figure out what it means and how to post it here--next step.
.
As far as masks, I started with the Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal Mask. It hurt the top of my head (?), hurt under my nose/lip area, the back strap slid up the back of my head, and leaked every time I turned over. I guess a key point is I am a restless sleeper and my preferred position is my stomach, which I have not found possible with most masks. Second choice is side. I cannot sleep on my back, even with my CPAP.

My husband is a long time CPAP user and suggested I try his masks (since they come with different size nasal pillows) so I tried his Philips Respironics Nuance Pro. I used the small nasal pillows. That is the mask I have had the most success with, but again, the back strap slips up the back of my head. It requires fewer adjustment during the night and fewer leaks. However, it puts some pressure on my nose and when I wake the bridge of my nose hurts!

His favorite is the Resmed Airfit P10 Nasal Pillow Mask, so I tried his. Even with the small nasal pillows it didn't work. Head straps too big, etc. So I tried Resmed Airfit P10 for Nasal Pillow Mask. Better fit with the head strap and extra small nose pillows, but the nose pillows extend farther into the nose and hurt inside my left nostril, regardless of sleep position.

So the past few days I've been using the SleepWeaver® Advance Small cloth mask. I've been able to sleep on my stomach! But every time I turn over the mask feels like it's going to blow off my face. I pretty much have to turn off the machine to start over again at low pressure to get a good seal in the new sleep position. I can't do that every night. Plus, it leaves awful strap marks across my face. I see another visit to my DME in my future. <sigh>

Sorry for the long reply, lot of info.

Eileen

[booksfan]

OK, so I can't post a screenshot until I have 4 posts, so I don't know I can do it correctly or not. I have saved it anyway.

One problem. In the Sleepyhead guide, it says to "Link Graph Groups." I do not have that option under my View tab, or under any other that I can find. My Event Flags graph seems to cover a longer time frame than the other graphs. Am I missing something?

Thanks,

Eileen

[Gideon]

You can post attachments, see my signature for how.

[booksfan]

Here is my screenshot from last night. Thanks Bonjour, for the tip!