AIBU to ask you about travel insurance dilemma...

[apostropheuse]

I'm just wondering if any of you can advise me about this. I did post in health, but it doesn't seem very busy over there.

I have pulmonary oedema, for which I take Furosemide daily and that takes care of the breathing problems associated with it. I was very ill with it a couple of years ago, but have improved dramatically and as long as I take the medication it is all under control. I have been back at work fulltime for fifteen months or so and haven't had a day off sick.

I have had every test imaginable for this. I had the x-rays that the doctor ordered due to a chronic cough, which triggered the whole lot of investigations off as it revealed the pulmonary oedema. I've had echocardiograms, cardio-pulmonary function tests, CT scans, VQ scans, blood tests for heart failure, blood tests for kidney disease, liver disease etc. My cholesterol levels are fine, blood pressure is fine with the medication.

Anyway, the results of all of these tests are that I don't actually have a problem with my heart or any major problem with my lungs. I just have this bloody pulmonary oedema and the doctors don't know why. The consultant has discharged me to the care of my GP - unless I deteriorate again in which case I can go back to him.

The reason for this epistle is that I am about to travel abroad for the first time since this was discovered I and obviously needed to get travel insurance. I couldn't find anything listed under just the pulmonary oedema in the questions you answer to declare a medical condition. The nearest thing I could see was Idiopathic Oedema, which I believe means unexplained oedema. I ticked that and it then asked about medication and symptoms etc. The symptoms did relate to what I used to have or still have, so I think I'm ok with this description. I have bought the insurance declaring it as idiopathic oedema.

If there's anyone still reading this, and you either have experienced this situation, or know about it, can you please advise me if you think I'm OK with declaring pulmonary oedema with unknown cause as idiopathic oedema?

I'm just a bit neurotic in case I've done the wrong thing!

You need to ring them. I'm not medically trained but previously sold travel insurance

The premise of all insurance companies really, is to take your money but try not to pay out
There will be a number you call to be screened for othert unlisted conditions

I would give the company the call and explain you could not see Pulmonary Oedema listed. They must have a procedure for unlisted conditions as they can hardly expect to list every medical condition in existence. Its surprising that they do not have an "other conditions" box to tick?

I would prefer to have it sorted with the company rather than trying to convince them of your reasoning if you did need to make a claim.

I think it could give them grounds to dismiss a claim if you knowingly gave them inaccurate information and your reasoning would probably not matter much to them tbh.

Hope you enjoy your holiday.

I agree your best phoning and talking to someone.

I think with medical conditions that is always the best way of doing it

Thanks for the responses. I've actually just had anther look at the policy document they sent me and it lists what their questions were and my answers - all of which was accurate. It also gives a further detail to my condition that I had to look up as I wasn't sure what it meant. It does make complete sense. So on reflection I think that I'm probably worrying too much about this as they seem to know about the condition I'm describing. Questions about my breathing ability etc.

I will probably give them a call in the morning just to make sure though. I don't want to be caught out with this.

Thanks again.

Call them. Insurance companies are notorious for withdrawing coverage for any number of spurious reasons. You can then be landed with a hefty bill whilst you try and get them to see the errors of their way.