What data do I need?

I just recently learned how to use the Smartcode to get some data off my machine without having to buy an expensive control module. It lists leaks, AHI, 95th % pressure, and a few other things. So what am I missing that I want to know? I have no idea. I've never used that SleepyHead software that I read so much about because I can't get the data off my machine, except by using the SmartCode.

I wish I could track my pressure throughout the night to see how high it's getting and how much it jumps around. I know where my pressure sits most of the night (7.5 lately), but I don't know how high it's getting or how often it jumps up. Is this important data to know, or is it somewhat meaningless since I already know I'm at 7.5 for 95% of the night?

I can't think of anything else I'd need to know or even would like to know, but then again, I don't know what's displayed in Sleepyhead. Is there anything else I'm missing? I'm just wondering if the data I am missing out on is worth purchasing a new machine (come June I can get another one for free, but my Intellipap is practically brand new and seems to be working just fine, so not sure that makes sense).

You can tell, if not how high it goes, that it stays at or below whatever the 90-95% figures are for 'that' night, so unless those are very high, you should just consider that the pressures were ok. If it jumped a lot, that would reflect in the percentages, but the odd jump wouldn't be anything to worry about in any case, and every night will be a bit different as too many random factors can impact your sleep - loud noises outside, temperature, a bed partner's movement, whatever. But you don't need a new machine - get the module for $150/Cpap.com and you'll have a good comprehensive picture of things. There are people whose OSA has some complex and quite variable factors to deal with, so for them the choice of e.g. an Air Sense 10 auto is important - they like to track every blink and nod their sleep goes through each night, but I don't believe that if you feel pretty good, if your IP Smart code numbers are reasonable and don't change radically over time (not night to night, but more like week to week), you necessarily need more than the module (I don't even use that, just the codes). Your choice though.

Thanks for the reply. I won't be buying the module. I refuse to spend $150 just to remove data from a machine that I already paid a lot of money for. There's something not right about that.

I guess I was just wondering if there's really any data I'm missing out on. I generally feel tired most days, even though my numbers look fine and I'm sleeping well. I do get up for work at 4:45 and tend to go to sleep at 11 pm, so that's likely the reason for being tired though.

shaner wrote:I just recently learned how to use the Smartcode to get some data off my machine without having to buy an expensive control module. It lists leaks, AHI, 95th % pressure, and a few other things. So what am I missing that I want to know? I have no idea. I've never used that SleepyHead software that I read so much about because I can't get the data off my machine, except by using the SmartCode.

The available data is what it is. Meaning, the data you have is better than nothing. A lot better than nothing in fact.

Of the data you mention, the AHI data and the leak data are more important than the 95% pressure setting. If the AHI < 5 and the leaks are acceptable for your machine, then you know that your therapy is effective, at least on paper. (Whether you're feeling better is another whole different question.)

I wish I could track my pressure throughout the night to see how high it's getting and how much it jumps around. I know where my pressure sits most of the night (7.5 lately), but I don't know how high it's getting or how often it jumps up. Is this important data to know, or is it somewhat meaningless since I already know I'm at 7.5 for 95% of the night?

If you have no problems tolerating your pressure AND if your AHI < 5, then the 95% pressure level is not a hugely important piece of data to worry about.

If your AHI is still high OR if you have trouble tolerating the pressure, then it would be nice to track the pressure increases throughout the night. But that means buying the expensive control module or a new machine.

I can't think of anything else I'd need to know or even would like to know, but then again, I don't know what's displayed in Sleepyhead. Is there anything else I'm missing?

I'm not exactly sure what level of detailed data you get from the Smartcodes. But here's a rundown on what I find useful when I'm looking at my own data or others' data when I'm trying to help them:

Detailed AHI data. What the break down between OAs, CAs, and Hs is and when the events occur during the night. In SH, you get this data on the Daily Details page. Some of it is summary data for the whole night, such at the AHI, the OAI, etc. Some of it is represented as flags on the flow rate curve.

Leak data. While summary data, such as "average leak rate" or "time spent in large leak" is available on most machine's LCDs (and probably through the Smartcode), to really understand whether leaks are a problem requires looking at what's going on with the leak curve all night long.

Snoring data and flow limitation data. Exactly how this data is displayed in SH and what it means does depend on the machine being used. But if a PAPer is still not feeling well, these pieces of data can be important in figuring out why they're still not feeling well. These data are also important in figuring out why an APAP chooses to increase the pressure when no events are being scored.

Pressure data. If the AHI is under control AND you're feeling fine, there's not much point in looking at the pressure curve. But if the AHI is too high OR if you're not feeling well, the pressure curve helps you see how your machine responds to what's going on in your breathing. And that can help troubleshoot under some circumstances.

Flow rate data. The flow rate data is a visual breath-by-breath record of your breathing the whole time you were using the machine. If you're still dealing with problems, the flow rate data can be critical at figuring out whether there's really something wrong with your breathing or not.

Most of the rest of the data available in SH is "bells and whistles". Meaning: It's nice to have, but it's kind of specialized and doesn't usually come into play in figuring out what's causing problems.

I'm just wondering if the data I am missing out on is worth purchasing a new machine (come June I can get another one for free, but my Intellipap is practically brand new and seems to be working just fine, so not sure that makes sense).

It's really up to you: If things are going fine and you're feeling good, the additional data probably won't be very important to you. If you're still struggling on some nights to make this crazy therapy work, then the additional data may be useful.

Another thing to consider: Many people like the idea of having a back-up machine around just in case something happens to their main machine. Or they'll travel only with the back up machine so that there's less risk the main machine will get damaged while traveling. Since buying a back-up machine out of pocket is kind of expensive, a lot of folks buy a new machine when they're eligible to get one and keep the old, functioning machine around as their backup.

Thanks. I guess now I know what data I am missing out on, which really doesn't sound like much of anything considering my leak rate is basically at 0 since I switched to nasal pillows and my AHI is under 5.

Does anyone know if the Intellipap tracks CSA as part of the AHI or does it only track OSA?

No, it doesn't pick up centrals, but because you're not feeling so hot I suggest first that you make a real effort to get enough sleep, which you really don't seem to be doing - and it makes a big difference... and second, that you possibly try raising your low pressure setting by 1-2 cm to see if it changes anything, though if your numbers look good, the culprit's probably your lack of sleep. Period.
Raising pressures when they're not needed (according to codes) could cause new problems, e.g. leaks, etc, and won't help lack of sleep hours.

shaner wrote:

What data do I need?

Here is an example of what forum expert Pugsy asks to see when helping members with their therapy ->



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