Brain tumours and epilepsy

Understanding and coping with epilepsy

Epilepsy is not a psychiatric illness but is due to a temporary disruption of electrochemical activity in the brain. Epilepsy can occur in individuals diagnosed with a brain tumour and can manifest itself in what is commonly known as “fits”. These fits or seizures can range in severity from simple to prolonged, which may lead to loss of consciousness. Seizures are not usually dangerous, but they can be very frightening and upsetting for those who have not seen or experienced them.

There are two main types of seizures

1. Generalised seizures, when the whole brain is affected
2. Partial seizures, which affect part of the brain

These two types are further divided into simple and complex depending on whether the person loses consciousness.

In simple partial seizures, consciousness is not affected but there may be a wide range of involuntary motor movements, such as a twitch of one side of the face or of an arm or of a leg, which may last from seconds to a couple of minutes.

In complex partial seizures, there is a temporary impairment of consciousness. You may experience strange sensations such as visual and auditory hallucinations, that is seeing or hearing something which is not actually there. Some people report that they experience strange smells.

Those people experiencing generalised seizures may experience tonic-clonic seizures or absence seizures. Previously known as grand mal fits, tonic-clonic seizures involve stiffening of the body, followed by falling, and rhythmic convulsive jerking movements of the muscles. Feelings of drowsiness and disorientation may last for several hours.

In absence seizures, previously known as petit mal, the person simply looks blank and stares, occasionally blinking or twitching. At times, this type of seizure can be mistaken for daydreaming. The type of seizures, you may experience, if any, depend on the site of the tumour in the brain.

If you are aware of the onset of a seizure, sit down and make yourself comfortable and wait for the fit to pass. If you experience “tonic-clonic seizures”, instruct your relatives to make sure you are lying on your side and to place a folded blanket or towel under your head to prevent injury. You must also tell them, that under no circumstances, should they place any instruments or their fingers in your mouth. It is important to refrain from activities, which could be dangerous, such as climbing or swimming, without proper supervision. In the United Kingdom, there are driving restrictions, which are imposed by the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA). You have a legal obligation to inform the DVLA about your epilepsy. Remember with appropriate medication, those with brain tumours, who experience epilepsy, are generally kept seizure-free. So always take your tablets as instructed and discuss any problems with your doctor or nurse.

Further information

The National Society for Epilepsy
Chesham Lane
Chalfont St Peter
Bucks
SL9 0RJ
01494 601 300