No, they don't die unless you accidentally pull the body away from the head when removing it, which is not good to happen in our case, it releases more toxins.

Is it possible you did that?

Sorry you've ended up sharing this huge boat of Lyme victims with us. You're at a pretty good site for support and knowledge though.

We do encourage all new members to read through our intro "New to Lyme?...start here", for valuable ideas and insight getting through this Lyme healing journey that lies ahead of you.

Oh, and there are a specific couple of areas in our intro that you need to familiarize yourself with.

The first one is de-toxing. It's UNlikely your treating doc will even know the value of doing this. It's a list of methods that are fairly easy to help your body move toxins through and out your system. You're likely to get a large die off of the bacteria which may overwhelm your normal detoxification organs. Lymph glands and liver, etc. That can result in the bacteria recycling through your body and causes intensified symptoms commonly called "herxing".

Also, on the second page of the intro, towards the bottom, is information about yeast overgrowth/Candida, which is a condition folks get as these yeast beasties can get out of control from things in our diet that convert to sugars(starch). Antibiotics are an antagonist because they kill all the good bacteria as well as the bad.

You'll also want to consider good probiotics to replace said bacteria. Particularly for your stomach.

Post Edited (julymorning) : 7/19/2017 11:30:56 AM (GMT-6)

SueZla, have you considered the possibility of being able to consult an LLMD, a Lyme literate specialist, for treatment?

There is always the possibility that the doctor you're seeing may not treat you adequately with the Doxy.
Be sure to kept a journal of sorts of your symptoms, because you want to be treating for 4 weeks beyond the end of your symptoms. Of ANY symptoms. Or you may not have been taking it long enough for your own body to recover well enough to take over. Our immune function is our best friend for getting and staying healed.

Some people when treated immediately with short term antibiotics do fully recover and never have symptoms again. But sometimes down the road after a physical or emotional trauma snowball effect, some may get sick again.

There fore you need to be fully well, don't ignore the slightest weird twinge. And remember that even old physical issues prior to being bitten can be targets for the bacteria. So, keep aware of them too, if they seem to have gotten worse.

We can help you find an LLMD in your area if you wish. They often do not accept insurance, but there are avenues to seek financial help if you're interested, which are also in our intro.

If you want names, you need to go to your profile and enable your email address to be seen by the members here. The general public can't access your profile, but they can this forum, so we don't publicize them out here.

Then start a thread "Seeking an LLMD in ___________(your area/State).

If it was one of the tinier Nymph stage ticks, we've found here in Missouri anyway, that they are particularly painful and I don't really know why. Lots of swelling and redness too, with these.

My husband was miss diagnosed for 10 years and ended up getting antibiotics through a port for 5 days a week for 6 weeks he has an excellent LLmd. He had to go through this process twice. Yes' we know that the insurance company does not pay for this so this was an out of pocket expense and I mean a big out of pocket expense.

Thank you for the article. I read it and just want the pain to go away. I know it takes time and I am actually thankful that the rash it appeared other wise I would have never thought it was Lyme. I'm taking it day by day!

SuZia - you really don't need a test - the bullseye rash IS Lyme disease and must be treated appropriately.

You need to treat until sign and symptom free for 4 weeks

Here are the ILADS Lyme Treatment Guidelines:

www.lymenet.org/BurrGuide200810.pdf

Scroll down to page 18/19 and you will see the dosage of doxycycline as well as duration of treatment for the EM.

You do not want to cut your treatment short - and have this become a chronic condition....knock it out now.