Adam Thomas has issued a candid and important update on his health battle with arthritis and admitted that whilst his current medication has been helpful, he has decided to come off of it.
Just weeks before he began his Strictly journey with partner Luba Mushtuk, Thomas revealed he had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
He penned on his social media: “I’ve been in a lot of pain since January, it started with my knees and then travelled 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!”
Despite the bad news, the Emmerdale star didn’t let it to him competing in the BBC show and made it all the way to week seven before being booted.
Thomas recently made a candid admission and revealed the full impact of his condition after deciding to switch up his medication.
He has documented his journey on his Instagram account and recently posted a video of himself screaming in paid whilst being injected with his treatment – asking: “There must be another way”.
The 36-year-old yesterday uploaded a series of images looking emotional as he prepared to undergo a series of injections.
Holding two flyers, he penned: “My arthritis journey …. 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.
Adam Thomas has kept his fans updated with his journey on his social media
“I’ve had enough so I’ve decided to come off them… I’ve been off them now for 5 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! I’ve been taking a lot of painkillers to get me through, and they have helped ease the pain where I 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 I’m going on to sulfasalazine tablets. It’s a long process but I just have to stay positive!”
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Adam was first diagnosed with arthritis weeks before his Strictly stint
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He 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…
“4-5 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 il 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! 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! No one 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!!” (sic)
Thomas’ comment section was flooded with fans and friends wishing him well and asking to be kept updated on his journey.