Strictly Come Dancing star gives update on painful health battle saying ‘I need help’
Former Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas, who has also starred on Strictly Come Dancing, has shared an update amid his arthritis battle, revealing that he is now struggling with psoriasis. The 36-year-old shared a black and white image to Instagram, in which he is seen holding his head. He asked fans for advice and help on managing the condition, saying he has "tried absolutely everything"
He wrote: "My arthritis journey: Ok I need help!!!! So with the arthritis that I’ve got which psoriatic arthritis one of the symptoms that comes with this is a skin condition called psoriasis! It used to be all over my body and face still is on places but really suffer with it on my scalp … I’ve tried absolutely everything ! If anyone has had this or got this and can recommend any shampoos or creams to help preferably natural I would really appreciate it thank you x."
Tips and advice poured in from his followers, including a message from Emily Atack, who is currently on our screens in new Disney show, Rivals. She wrote: "Steroid cream from the docs!!! Worked WONDERS for me. You comb it into your hair like a leave in conditioner. I’ll send you a pic of it xxx."
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Adam's latest update amid his arthritis battle comes after he revealed that the health condition has left him in pain "every day" for the past two years. The actor revealed in August 2023 that he had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and in an update earlier this month, he told how he is coming off his latest medication because the side effects have become "too much".
He wrote on Instagram: "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,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 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."
He admitted the only time he hasn't been in pain over the last couple of years was when he took steroid injections, during his time on Strictly in 2023.
“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!,” he wrote.
“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*** 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!! Much love x."
In response to the emotional post, Adam’s followers flocked to the comments to show him their support. “Genuinely hope you find a long term solution Adam. Please keep speaking about journey, as many people suffer like you,” wrote one.
“Bless you. It’s a journey for sure! I hope you get some reprieve,” another commented. “Sending so much love Adam. I hope they manage to find a solution,” a third replied.
