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Adam Thomas Health Update: Adam’s Health Battle With Rheumatoid Arthritis Revealed
The 35-year-old Adam Thomas took to Instagram to share pictures from his most recent hospital visit, commenting that he did not want to ‘suffer in silence anymore’.
The former Emmerdale star managed to battle through his rheumatoid arthritis from which he could barely walk ahead of his dancing debut last September.
He revealed on Monday that the last year or so has been ‘the toughest period of my life to date’.
- Adam was joined in the hospital by his wife of over six years Caroline Daly
Posting snaps from his visit, he commented: ‘Little update on my arthritis journey so far…
‘So been in and out of hospital for a while now, tried all sorts of medications and painkillers. But nothing’s working, so time to try something new.’
The pictures included a sweet selfie of him and Caroline sitting in a hospital waiting room, alongside snaps of the star getting his blood tested.
Adam described that he had been given a fresh round of previously successful steroid injections to ease pain and inflammation as he waited for his new prescription of methotrexate – an immunosuppressant that reduces swelling by slowing down your body’s immune system – and sulfasalazine.
In addition to rheumatoid arthritis, methotrexate is also often given to sufferers of psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and cancer.
The main side-effect of taking such a drug is an increased inclination to catch and suffer worse from infections such as Covid-19 and the flu.
Sulfasalazine is another drug used to treat inflammatory diseases and can lead to nausea.
He revealed that if drugs have the desired effect, he will continue to take them for the rest of his life, or until his arthritis subsides.
Adam continued: ‘It’s been a long and hard battle and as of yet nothing has worked, but I’m hopeful! I’ve suffered just over a year with arthritis and I have to say it’s been the toughest period of my life to date.
‘I’m a firm believer of everything happening for a reason, but I don’t have the answer to that just yet. If I’m being completely honest… I’m suffering… I don’t think I want to suffer in silence anymore.’
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What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the joints.
It is a condition that can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the main way it does this is with inflammation in your joints.
It can be treated through drugs, physical therapies, and or by surgery.
Causes Of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The following can cause rheumatoid arthritis:
- Smoking.
- Diet- eating a lot of red meat and don’t consume much vitamin C.
- Being overweight.
- Genetics- Having a relative with the condition increases your chance of developing the condition.
- Sex- The illness is two to three times more common among women than men.
- Age- It can affect adults of any age.
Symptoms Of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
- Joint pain
- Joint swelling, warmth, and redness
- Stiffness, especially first thing in the morning or after sitting still for a long time.
- Tiredness and lack of energy – this can be known as fatigue
- Poor appetite (not feeling hungry)
- Weight loss
- High temperature, or a fever
- Sweating
- Dry eyes – as a result of inflammation
- Chest pain – as a result of inflammation.