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Epileptic Seizures

Be sure to check out BP's other excellent article on drug induced seizures - click here.

Epileptic seizures can be very frightening to experience and witness. There are many old myths that still abound concerning how to deal with a person who is fitting (look at OD Myths'). Many drug users may have experienced a seizure at one time or another - you don't have to be an epileptic to have a seizure. There are two main types of epileptic seizures; petit mal (minor epilepsy where a person may momentarily lapse into inattention/ daydreaming without losing consciousness) and Grand Mal ( Major epilepsy) which is more serious with muscular spasms and convulsions and a short loss of consciousness. People who are epileptic may often carry an orange ID card or wear a warning bracelet. With drug use, it is the major epilepsy that occurs most often. This is often from long term (or heavy bingeing) benzo or barbiturate use. A person may miss taking their pills for a day or two and find themselves fitting.

Seizures can occur alongside an overdose on most drugs, indeed they occur from too much alcohol, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, antidepressants and others. Everyone has what is known as a ‘seizure threshold' meaning that anyone can experience on given the right conditions. (BP has an indepth article on seizures coming up, see Issue 11 for our drug induced seizure update.)

It can still happen for up to a few years after benzo/barb use has stopped. It is certain that stress increases the possibility of seizures, re-occurring if someone has had seizures in the past.

It is ESSENTIAL to remain calm when a person has a seizure -as they can often become very frightened and confused when regaining consciousness and may not recognize their surroundings. There is often no indication prior to someone having a fit, perhaps the person may get an odd taste or smell or a type of 'aura' surrounding their mood or body. A person will usually just suddenly lose consciousness, sometimes letting out a strange cry, or will just pass into unconsciousness and then begin fitting.

The casualty will become rigid for a few seconds and may cease breathing with their mouth and lips turning blue. There will be congestion around the face and neck. The muscles then relax and the convulsions begin. They consist of contraction and relaxation of alternate groups of muscles. These convulsions can be frightening to witness as they can be very intense. During this period which will only last a few minutes, the person may froth about the mouth (fig 10) and breathing can become noisy and difficult. You may see blood conning from their mouth but this will probably be the result of a bitten tongue. Your pal may also lose control of their bladder or bowels.

After the convulsions finish (usually 5 minutes at most) the person will remain unconscious for a few more minutes or more, breathing will become normal and they will slowly 'come around' feeling dazed, confused and often scared. When a person has a seizure:

When Someone Has a Seizure

1) You can protect them from injury by holding them gently but firmly enough so they don't hurt themselves whilst convulsing, but never hold them unnecessarily, you could do damage or you may get hurt.

2) Don't move or lift them unless they are in danger and NEVER put anything in their mouth or try to open it. Spoons to stop people swallowing tongues are a MYTH, DONT DO IT!

3) When the convulsions cease, put them in the recovery position (see fig 6). Stay with them until they awake properly, speak calmly and reassuringly to them and try to make sure the first person they see is a loved one or friend rather than a stranger. Don't give them anything to drink until they are fully awake. Leave them to rest as long as they need to in a quiet room. It is extremely exhausting for the body. You may need to comence mouth to mouth if their breathing hasn't returned to normal from their overdose.

Call an ambulance if:

- It is the persons first seizure,

- or it accompanies an overdose,

- or the person has two or three fits without regaining consciousness between them,

- or they take longer than 15 minutes to regain consciousness.

It is always important however, they advise their doctor about the seizure, at least to rule out any other causes such as a virus, tumor or other problem.

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