A desperate woman who chained herself to a chair at Argus insurance on Thursday has gone public after accusing the company of ignoring her pleas for help in getting treatment.

Julie DeCouto claims the company promised they would pay her flight and accommodation for treatment in Boston after her four-hour protest, then withdrew the promise the next day.

Mrs. DeCouto, 45, has been off work for six years with a debilitating bowel disease but has little luck in getting treatment on the Island.

She had been examined by medics at the New England Medical Centre and had established a rapport with the doctor only to be told that Argus no longer dealt with them.

Instead she was referred to the Lahey Clinic and told she must pay for her flights and accommodation.

The disease has began to affect her concentration, leading to short term memory loss and she feels that she will need to be accompanied if she goes to unfamiliar surroundings at the Lahey.

"I was at Argus for four hours. The only reason I left was because they promised they would give me everything I wanted. Otherwise I would have stayed there all night.

"I have worked in the insurance industry and I know you have to make a stand. I should have got it in writing.

"Then they phoned me the next day and reneged.

"I am very sick but I can't seem to get anyone to care for me."

She said her disease, which has yet to be fully diagnosed, left her so bloated she looked like she was about to give birth, despite that fact she is normally slim and fit.

Last night Argus CEO Gerald Simons said it was not company policy to discuss health claims of individuals.

But he said his company advised clients of the benefits they were entitled to under their policies and ultimately his company had to answer to employers who paid all or half of the policy premiums.

However Mrs. DeCouto fears her illness could result in a long stay and possibly an operation which would be financially draining.

"You don't know how long you are going to be there. I could be there for three or four months. We can't afford to pay for that."

Mrs. DeCouto took exception to Mr. Simons' remark in Friday's paper about the protest when he said that "sickness and illness can cause stress."

She said: "They should be helping me then."

Mrs. DeCouto is now considering legal action to press her claim.