ADAM Thomas has opened up about his ongoing battle with rheumatoid arthritis in an emotional Instagram post, begging, “Take my pain away please.”
Waterloo Road star Adam, 36, who was diagnosed with the condition in 2023, shared a candid update with his followers while receiving LED treatment.
In the heartfelt message, Adam admitted that the disease has taken a toll on both his body and mind, making it difficult to maintain a consistent exercise routine.
He wrote: “This disease really does f**k with your head, especially when your trying to shift Some weight and get Into a routine of exercise! Constant battle constant set backs!!
“Just take my pain away please!! I’ve suffered enough now! Am really trying to hold myself together but it’s not easy!
“Just one of those days … keep fighting people… on the days where we can’t train … we have to take care of ourselves x self care and recovery.”
Earlier this month, Adam opened up about his agonising battle on Good Morning Britain, revealing the autoimmune disease has left him in daily pain for the past two and a half years.
During the interview, host Susanna Reid expressed her shock that someone as young as Adam could be suffering from arthritis, a condition typically associated with older age.
Adam shot to fame on Emmerdale in 2009, but now plays a P.E. teacher on Waterloo Road.
While chatting to Adam on the GMB sofa, Susanna explained: “We’re laughing about the fact that you would be a P.E. teacher but it actually impedes your movement, doesn’t it?”
Adam replied. “Yes definitely and yes I’ve been struggling with this autoimmune disease now for about two and a half years.
“It’s been tough. I’m not over-exaggerating when I say this but literally within two and a half years, every day I’ve been in pain.
“It’s difficult but now I feel like I’ve found – because I’ve been on so many different meds and trying so many different things, back and forth from doctor’s and hospitals.”
Adam revealed he is trying out a new “carnivore diet” and says it has helped.
He said: “I’ve noticed a huge difference, especially within the past couple of weeks.
“It’s given me a little bit of hope now.
“I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I’m feeling the best way I’ve felt for a while.”
He continued: “I feel like the inflammation is going down a little bit and I’m getting my life back which is the most important thing.”
He also said he believes he may have inherited the condtion from his late dad, but they never spoke about it.
Adam recently screamed in pain as he filmed himself injecting his treatment.
He said last October: “The pain is pretty unbearable at the moment, it’s as if my whole body is seizing up!!
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
“The pain was bad before, but it’s a lot worse now… how why???”
Addressing his treatment, he added “Now I wish I never came off the methotrexate because I would take that pain to this every day of the week!!
“I’ve just started my new medication today which takes 12 weeks to take effect and even then it might not work so am not too sure what I can do to ease the pain until then??
“I’ve had my steroid injections and it literally lasted a week.”
And, last year, he was left “in tears” after updated medication left him “wiped out”.
The TV star then told how his son was playing a part in looking after him.
