As part of your treatment for a brain tumour you’ll probably be given drugs called steroids and possibly some medicine to prevent fits (anticonvulsant drugs).
tell me about steroids…
Steroids help reduce the swelling that often surrounds brain tumours. Although they don’t treat the tumour itself they can improve symptoms and make you feel better. Steroids can be given before or after surgery, or during or after radiotherapy.
If you take steroids for some time, you may have some temporary side effects. These can include:
- Weight gain
- A change in the shape of your face (making it more rounded)
- Indigestion
- Slightly more risk of infection
- Mood changes (feeling ‘hyper’ or overactive or feeling low)
- You might also develop an increase in the sugar level in your blood. If this happens, your doctors will prescribe medicine that brings this back to normal.
These side effects can feel hard to bear especially with all the other stuff you have to deal with. Remember that they are temporary and will pass when treatment is over.
what about anticonvulsants?
Tumours in the brain can sometimes cause fits. Anticonvulsants are drugs that help prevent fits. You might be prescribed these before surgery, or to take on a more long-term basis. Your doctors will tell you in detail about any particular side effects of these drugs.
