Flying doctor

guardian.co.uk, Saturday March 8 2003 18.14 GMT
The Guardian, Saturday March 8 2003

I am a 47-year-old woman currently experiencing problems with unsteady walking, slight speech slurring and excessive tiredness, and am awaiting tests with a view to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. My husband and I would like to plan a trip to New York in the summer. Given that it is unlikely that I will have a firm diagnosis by then, how would I declare my condition on the insurance form?

Dr Jules Eden replies: When you take out insurance, there is a medical declaration form, most often with simple 'yes' or 'no' answers. If there is a 'yes' ticked, then you will be asked to expand on why you have answered in the affirmative. However, as you have not yet had a definitive diagnosis, this may cause a problem. If it were to be MS, though, it shouldn't necessarily add any weight to your premium. MS sufferers experience periods of remission from the disease. So on your form, it is best to mention your condition and the fact that you are being investigated, but also say that your symptoms do not need any extra day-to-day medical help.

· If you have any questions you want to ask Dr Jules Eden, email travel.doctor@guardian.co.uk, or write to The Flying Doctor, The Guardian, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER.