Yes, I agree with you. They are masters at staying alive.
I too passed quite a large worm many "moons" ago, took to Doctor's, was told it looked like a tapeworm. I thought it looked more like a roundworm. Anyway, by the time I took it to Doctor's it had dried out, exactly like you say, stick-like.
I produce A LOT of mucus, I often wonder whether the herbs can penetrate this and get to the parasites.