Emotional Strictly star Adam Thomas reveals health battle as he ‘struggles to walk’ with ‘two years of constant pain’
STRICTLY Come Dancing alumni Adam Thomas has revealed he’s been in pain “every day” for the past two years – and is now “finding it hard to walk.”
The former Emmerdale actor was candid in admitting the full impact of his condition after switching up his medications.
Adam, 36, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2023, recently screamed in pain as he filmed himself injecting his treatment.
Now he has taken to his Instagram grid to give a full insight into what he dubs his “arthritis journey.”
The Waterloo Road star uploaded a snap showing him looking emotional as he prepared to undergo a series of injections.
He then captured himself holding two flyers about the steroid injection treatment before he explained: “So for those of you that know, I’ve been on my methotrexate injections for quite some time and the side effects were just too much for me.
“I’ve had enough so I’ve decided to come off them… I’ve been off them now for five weeks or so and not been on anything and the pain has definitely increased, finding it hard to walk again, especially in the morning and my wrists and fingers are just as bad if not worse!”
Talking about his ongoing battle he continued: “I’ve been taking a lot of pain killers to get me through and they have helped ease the pain where am able to train but the next day my body is just in bits.
“So back to the hospital today to try something else… I know a lot of you have recommended the biologics but in order for me to get on to these, I have to have tried at least two different medications first.
“So I have tried the methotrexate tablets and injections and now Im going on to sulfasalazine tablets. It’s a long process but I just have to stay positive!”
The former I’m A Celebrity personality was previously diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis and continued: “The thing is I’ve never been pain free!!
“Over two years I’ve been in pain EVERYDAY and as you can imagine it definitely takes its toll. The only time I can think of, that I’ve not been pain free, is when I was doing Strictly… four to five weeks in the pain was unbearable to the point I couldn’t physically carry on anymore I was putting on a brave face, but really I was suffering!
“Even though I was in pain and physically I was suffering, in my mind I wanted to keep going and the team at Strictly mentioned steroid injections to help ease the pain a little and it worked massively!!!
“I was still s**t at dancing but the pain had eased off. And so I’ll be honest I just need some breathing space again to feel normal again and so that’s what I’ve had again today! So fingers crossed! I know it’s no cure but it just gives me a little time until the other meds kick in!”
The dad of three then urged his followers and fellow sufferers to “stay strong.”
What are the symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis?
Pain – Patients could suffer with a throbbing and aching pain in their joints. According to the NHS, it may often feel worse in the mornings or after a period of inactivity.
Stiffness – Joints affected by the condition can feel stiff and inflexible. For example, you may not be able to fully bend fingers or form a fist in an affected hand.
Swelling, warmth and redness – Joint linings are also affected by rheumatoid arthritis and they could become inflamed. Joints could then swell, and become hot or tender to touch.
Other symptoms: These can often include tiredness, lack of energy, a high temperature, sweating, a poor appetite and weight loss
Adam added: “I genuinely do not talk to anyone about any of this, and the reason I share this is because I know a lot of you are suffering, but I want you to know that we have to stay strong!
“Noone will understand what we are going through it’s tough some good days some bad, but we can’t let it beat us. I refuse to give in!!”
He finished his lengthy message with the words: “Much love x”
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where your immune system mistakenly attacks the cells in your joints.
Patients could suffer with a throbbing and aching pain in their joints. According to the NHS, it may often feel worse in the mornings or after a period of inactivity.
Adam was diagnosed with the condition shortly before his Strictly stint in 2023.
At the time, he told how the condition had been causing “a lot of pain” in his limbs and joints.
Talking about the start of his condition, which struck aged 34, he said last autumn: “I’ve been in a lot of pain since January, it started with my knees and then traveled to my wrists, fingers and now ankles and toes.
“I never knew what was happening and finally after several blood tests and back and forth to doctors and hospitals, I’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid Arthritis!
“I thought that was something people, later on in their life get… but that’s not the case, clearly!”