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Original poster

Travel insurance conundrum - seizure

47 replies

SunSparkle · 16/07/2023 17:14

I recently had a seizure while in hospital awaiting another procedure. I have now been referred to neurology but the wait is up to 10 weeks to go too the 'first fit/seizure' clinic for investigation.

The neurologist who consulted with my main consultant at hospital (and was happy to discharge me with no investigation) can't say it isn't epilepsy (or other neuro condition) but the circumstances in which it happened indicate it could be something benign like vasovagal syncope (e.g. my blood pressure got very low, I fainted and had a seizure).

I just went to get travel insurance for a holiday I'm about to book for September and if I try and declare I'm under investigation for a condition, I can't get cover.

The likelihood of another seizure is exceptionally low.

What are my options? What would you do? Are there any insurers that allow for being on a long referral time?

OP posts:

QueenBitch666 · 17/07/2023 12:38

You can get cover. You just have to declare it. It will either not be covered or covered at a premium

Original poster

SunSparkle · 17/07/2023 13:08

@MoserRothOrangeandAlmond I've called Stay Sure this morning as I'm waiting for the 1st fit clinic appointment (I've been told it's a wait of approximately 10 weeks and my first fit was coming up to a month ago). Stay Sure will cover me for everything apart from seizures so if I break a leg, great. If I break a leg because I have a seizure, nope.

When you say they covered you, did they exclude his seizures as he wasn't diagnosed? Mine was a tonic clonic seizure from what they described to me (I haven't a clue as I was passed out).

OP posts:

Growlybear83 · 17/07/2023 13:21

The insurance company covered my husband for anything related to his seizures although we didn't know the cause at that time. When he had the seizure in Italy, he hadnt had a diagnosis - that took a very very long time because his seizures were very infrequent and by the time paramedics arrived each time, he was beginning to recover so no-one medical witnesses a seizure until he fell asleep in the waiting room in A&E and had another one. After the very first seizure, he was found to have an AVM but was told this had probably been present since birth and wasn't likely to be causing the seizures, but we declared that each time we went away. It didn't affect the premium too much.

Blondeissimo · 17/07/2023 13:26

Try All Clear. They've been great with me and my many conditions. Hope they'll cover the seizures for you.

LadyWithLapdog · 17/07/2023 14:08

Can you see the Neurologist privately, quicker? You might get the all clear sooner.

LadyWithLapdog · 17/07/2023 14:10

Do they think it might have been the jerk like movement you sometimes get with syncope, rather than actual seizure?

Original poster

SunSparkle · 17/07/2023 14:27

@LadyWithLapdog Yes very possibly. I felt unwell and hot, I fainted, and then I had full body seizure movements (jerky etc), for a few minutes and was unresponsive. When I came round I was a bit confused but was able to answer questions correctly within 30 seconds. Considering the circumstances when it happened, I was in pain, under a lot of stress and being cannulated which is very difficult with my veins and they were trying the 7th vein so quite unpleasant for me. I'm not good with needles. I think it's vasovagal syncope not a true seizure.

OP posts:

LadyWithLapdog · 17/07/2023 14:33

I think syncopes are shorter lasting; but then you had no confusion after, it’s an odd one. I hope you get answers soon. The Epilepsy foundation has good info, I was doing some reading after witnessing an odd collapse a week ago.

Original poster

SunSparkle · 17/07/2023 14:36

@LadyWithLapdog yeah no long-term confusion, no incontinence, no tongue biting. No repeat seizures. I have a history of fainting after low blood pressure and my mum is the same. I was in a fasted state and had had no food or water so was more susceptible to fainting as I was awaiting surgery (which couldn't go ahead in the end due to the seizure).

OP posts:

MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 17/07/2023 14:38

@SunSparkle yes they would cover if he had another seizure as we declared it. He had x2 TC seizures out of the blue (13 weeks seizure free) then had his 3 TC when I was looking a medical holiday insurance as our original insurance wouldn't cover anything to do with seizures (the company we use prior to booking holiday). His MRI showed to have a meningioma and stay sure covered that as well as there are no plans for operations at the moment.
We were told it was only going to be a few weeks for neuro appointments, as he was in hospital for a week and they liased with neuro re treatment and investigations. have been in A&E x 3 since discharge.
I wouldn't book anything until you have your neuro appointment date through.

Lilacshade · 17/07/2023 14:48

I'm with Staysure, mine cost £500+ because of a long list of health conditions.
Where are you going OP? I ask because some places in Europe will offer you NHS treatment on the GHIC whereas others will direct you to private hospitals.
DS needed a doctor on a recent holiday in Lanzarote. All done free at a state clinic. OTOH we had a nightmare experience with Hospiten (a private hospital) in Tenerife a few years ago.

As a pp said it's not the minor treatment that's the important thing it's repatriation after death or serious injury.

MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 17/07/2023 15:03

It was also going to be about £300 insurance for one week

MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 17/07/2023 15:03

Doctors said he could fly, he had a recent MRI and taking anti seizure medication

Original poster

SunSparkle · 18/07/2023 17:08

I've tried all the recommendations on this thread and no one will cover me for a condition under investigation even at a premium. They will only exclude it.

What can I do? I don't want to sound daft but we've had such a shit few months that a holiday would really really help right now. But I also don't want to end up one of those headlines in a newspaper with a crowdfunder trying to get myself back home if something catastrophic happens.

I will pay extra money to cover it but no one wants to touch me.

OP posts:

NeverDropYourMooncup · 18/07/2023 17:10

Unfortunately, you're going to have to wait. You cannot risk having a seizure (and that's what it sounds like, not a faint as you are telling yourself - and was witnessed by others perfectly capable of recognising a seizure) overseas or midflight when you aren't covered by insurance.

MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 18/07/2023 19:22

Unfortunately you may have to go on holiday in this country.
At least your getting away somewhere in a different environment.
I'm saying this as we've had a horrendous 5 months with new diagnosis of seizures with my husband and a looong neuro appointment wait. We've just had a week away in a lodge in this country (as he's had further seizures after being seizure free for 13 weeks) it's just not a risk I would take abroad.
Honestly it was lovely, just being away, the lodge was beautiful, our daughter was happy and it was nice to be away.

Hope you get your neuro appointment soon and you have no further seizures.
It does sound like you have had a seizure, the jerking movements, unconsciousness and confused when you have came round for a little. Again I wouldn't risk it

User1864876 · 18/07/2023 19:33

Yes, I would book something nice here, treat yourself a bit, it's not really worth the risk to go abroad

Original poster

SunSparkle · 18/07/2023 20:21

Holiday in the UK sounds nice but neither me or my partner can drive. I was learning (test in august) but can’t drive for 6 months or until cleared by neurology so will miss my test. Next test dates are after Christmas.

my partner can’t even get a driving instructor (has been looking for months) due to covid backlog.

and we have a toddler so have to have a car (train travel for holidays with a toddler is a nightmare not due to the journey but the length of the journey as well as car seats and other equipment you need to take like a travel cot).

when we fly it’s easy as get an airport taxi and then book a transfer.

I'm gutted about missing my driving test too as I’ve worked so hard to get to that point.

im just having a pity party tonight. I know not going on holiday isn’t the end of the world, I just really wanted to make it happen.

OP posts:

Growlybear83 · 18/07/2023 20:27

Have you thought of going to one of the Channel Islands? I assume that you would be ok for free treatment if you were to have another seizure there? Although the treatment my husband got in Italy when he had a huge seizure was excellent, trying to get help in the middle of the night, in a small hotel with no after hours reception service, when I really thought he was about to die was truly horrendous. At least you wouldn't have a language barrier in jersey or guernsey

MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 18/07/2023 20:46

We have a young child to so I understand. Car seats and travel cots aren't always necessary to take away with you. A lot of places provide them and if your on the train you won't need it a car seat.

We only went an hour away from home and it done us the world of good.

We had our abroad holiday booked since January and I understand the disappointment. My parents couldn't cancel (as he had another seizure less than 2 weeks before flying) so they still had to go away.

Have a look at where yous could go for a break

nether · 18/07/2023 21:55

There is a reciprocal health agreement for Jersey and Guernsey, but it doesn't cover everything , and travel health insurance is advisable

UK and Jersey health agreement (gov.je)

DogInATent · 18/07/2023 23:16

when we fly it’s easy as get an airport taxi and then book a transfer.
How far/much is an airport taxi for you? - and where would that take you in any other direction that's not going to the airport?

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