I actually have. Thanks for asking! My results came out perfect. I read a thread here about chronic Lyme Disease last night & I've never been tested for it... I live in tick/Lyme country, so it's possible that I have it. I have many of the symptoms. I am going to ask about it when I have my next appt.
I'm glad to hear that maybe you've found relief in some ways from your diagnosis's. It's highly possible that if my cause(s) of chronic fatigue are strictly/mostly medical in nature that they won't ever be discovered or will be discovered via autopsy. I'd love to know what they'd find!
An autopsy never would have revealed my OSA, one benefit of procrastinating on CTB. I often quip that my situation would be fascinating if I wasn't the patient suffering!
Sure, getting checked out for Lyme disease is an excellent idea. I do wonder, since you've said you've been dragging as far back as you can remember.
The legendary developer of Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Edmund Jacobson, described the state his method achieved not as an absence of energy, but as concentrated energy. In 1928, he published "Progressive Muscle Relaxation," and in 1934 he published "You Must Relax," which is the second best selling self help book of the 1930's (after Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People" from 1937). What Jacobson developed has never been improved upon or surpassed (but I can't use it because of my OSA, as my airways collapse and choke me when I begin to relax).
It may well be that what you actually need is a course in relaxation training, whether it be PMR, Autogenic Training, diaphragmatic breathing, a biofeedback therapist who incorporates relaxation training into the practice, or other such methodologies or a combination of methodologies.
One quick way to find out is to locate a competent acupuncturist. This can be an amazing experience, although the results don't usually last beyond the 20 minute sessions themselves, but it can let you know if chronic stress and nervous tension is causing you to be chronically fatigued.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_muscle_relaxation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Jacobson
Here is the website of the final active protégé who Jacobson taught his original classic PMR formula to:
http://www.specializedrelaxationtraining.com/about.html
Regarding Autogenic Training:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogenic_training
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Heinrich_Schultz
This is from a post I submitted on Autogenic Training and how to do it:
AUTOGENIC TRAINING
Imagine being able to tell your body to relax-really relax-and have it respond! That's precisely what you may be able to do through autogenic training, a form of self-suggestion you can master in minutes and use every day to to help ease the symptoms of stress.
Autogenic (that is, self-regulating or self-generating) training was developed by Dr. Johannes Schultz and Dr. Wolfgang Luthe, both German neurologists, early in this century and published in 1932. The technique is based on their medical research (particularly in hypnosis and yoga, but without ceding some control of mind that hypnosis requires, or getting entangled in the mysticism and idealism of yoga) and has been used primarily to treat a variety of maladies, including migraines. But it seems to work best as a stress tamer.
Basically it consists of getting into a passive, relaxed frame of mind while giving your body a series of self instructions, such as, "My heartbeat is calm and regular." This hypnotic body talking, say researchers, can somehow produce physiological changes, including deep, stress releasing relaxation. And practicing, they say, makes it easier to get the body to "listen" and react.
Dr. Martin Schaffer, clinical psychologist, head of the Stress Management Institute in San Francisco and author of Life after Stress, explains the easy steps to autogenic relaxation.
As with other relaxation techniques, you need to get into a quiet room to begin. Turn the lights down low and wear loose clothing. Sit in a chair that comfortably supports your head, back, legs and arms. Or lie down with a pillow under your head, feet slightly apart, and arms at your sides but not touching your body. Get as comfortable as you can.
Then close your eyes and slowly recite the following instructions, breathing deeply and evenly, saying the verbal cues to yourself as you exhale.
1. "My hands and arms are heavy and warm" (five times).
2. "My legs and feet are heavy and warm" (five times).
3. "My abdomen is warm and comfortable" (five times). [Omit this step if you have ulcers.]
4. "My breathing is deep and even" (ten times).
5. "My heartbeat is slightly calm and regular" (ten times).
6. "My forehead is cool" (five times). [Note: Saying your forehead is "cold" instead of "cool" may result in headaches!]
7. "When I open my eyes, I will remain relaxed and refreshed" (three times).
Now perform the following sequence of body movements:
1. Move your hands and arms about.
2. Move your feet and legs about.
3. Rotate your head.
4. Open your eyes and sit up.
All this should be done with an attitude of passive concentration. Observe what's happening to your body, but don't consciously try to analyze it. By all means don't criticize yourself for having distracting thoughts. If your mind wanders, simply bring it back to to your instructions as soon as possible.
Dr. Shaffer advises doing 2-minute autogenic training sessions ten times a day. "When you spend ten little times a day bringing your tension level down, it's unlikely to get up that high," he says.
And be patient: Experts say that in some cases, autogenic training can take weeks to achieve the desired physiological effect.
Unexpected Results
Be forewarned that autogenic training is serious therapy and can have profound effects. There's a small chance that you may, for example, experience "autogenic discharges"-tingling or other body sensations, involuntary movements, pain, or even a desire to cry. "When that happens, simply do nothing," says Dr. Shaffer. "Tell yourself this is a normal discharge of tension in your body."
In rare cases, some people lie back, begin their autogenic rituals, but instead of feeling relaxed, lapse into a panic of anxiety. "That happens with people who need tension as a defense," says Dr. Shaffer. "They're getting rid of their tension and comes anxiety. Things they've not paid attention to are coming up to the surface." His advice is to just let it pass and continue the autogenic formula; if the agitation continues, stop the training and seek professional therapy to get to the root of your anxiety.
If you have high or low blood pressure, diabetes, hypoglycemic conditions or heart conditions, consult your physician before you even begin autogenics. Those with severe mental or emotional disorders are discouraged from even trying the technique. And if you find yourself feeling continually restless during or after autogenic sessions-or if you suffer any disquieting aftereffects-practice only under the supervision of a professional autogenic training instructor.
Source-POSITIVE LIVING AND HEALTH: The Complete Guide to Brain/Body Healing & Mental Empowerment, Rodale Press-Pages 249-250.
