Yeah they'll just throw antibiotics if they suspect Lyme because it's pretty safe and very effective. I was just surprised by the length of the course they have you on, that's a long time to be on an antibiotic.

I looked at the other "popular" tick-borne illnesses and wonder if babesiosis is what you've got. It looks like that one responds better to different antibiotics, so if the doxy doesn't fix you right up, it could be worth mentioning.

My head is full of tick thoughts because I listened back to this tick-borne illness episode of science podcast Ologies after pulling the tick off me a couple weeks ago. 🤦 Obviously I needed a reminder, and considering the marvelous tick paradise I live in, I probably should just relisten every 6 months and wear DEET like cologne every day.

Edit: also, apologies if my original comment came across like I was invalidating your experience. I got covid right after Lyme and the brain fog is making my usual autistic communication difficulties so much harder, and I have been told my whole life that I come across as condescending or know-it-all, when I'm desperately trying to just be helpful and share things I've learned.

I had Lyme recently, my husband got absolutely rekt by it last year, and I strongly encourage anyone who suspects they have it to please talk to a medical professional asap. If you live anywhere that ticks live, please listen to that podcast I linked. It's charming and entertaining as well as incredibly informative.

I was just surprised by the length of your antibiotic course and that they expected a blood test to be conclusive and worried that whatever you have will get worse while they're mucking about with suspicions of Lyme.

Sorry if it sounded like I was trying to tell you what's what. I try to be really precise with what I say and often forget that NTs get subtle attitudinal clues from word choices that I just don't pick up on.