Emmerdale star Adam Thomas has made a heartfelt vow to "start taking care of his body again" after experiencing a resurgence of "severe pain" in his ongoing battle with psoriatic arthritis. The 37-year-old actor, diagnosed in 2023 just weeks before his Strictly Come Dancing stint, has been openly documenting his struggles with the chronic condition.
A Painful Wake-Up Call
In a candid new Instagram post, Thomas revealed he had become "complacent" with his arthritis treatment regimen, leading to a return of debilitating symptoms that served as a "big wake up call." The Waterloo Road and Emmerdale actor shared that he missed injections over Christmas, believing he would be fine, only to be proven wrong when intense pain struck.
"I woke up in the middle of the night with severe pain in my wrists," Thomas wrote. "In that moment, I went straight back to that scared little boy I used to be, living with pain and fear." He described the experience as terrifying, waking up crying from the intensity of the discomfort.
Medication Concerns and Fears
Thomas expressed particular concern that his body might be developing immunity to the biologic injections that had previously transformed his life. The actor, who had celebrated being pain-free for the first time in over two years thanks to these injections just months earlier, now worries the treatment may be losing effectiveness.
"The meds I'm on, your body can get used to them, miss them, and they can stop working altogether," he shared. "That thought scares the s**t out of me!" Thomas posted a photograph showing himself administering an injection into his leg, along with video messages to his followers detailing his anxieties.
Learning to Live With Chronic Condition
The actor reflected on the psychological challenge of managing a long-term health condition, admitting he had become "comfortable" and "lazy" in his approach after initial treatment success. "Truth is I don't think you beat it, you just learn to live with it, control it!" he wrote, offering advice to others facing similar struggles.
Thomas emphasised the importance of consistency in treatment, acknowledging that while he enjoys training, he may need to avoid overexertion and focus more on listening to his body's signals. His message concluded with a reminder to himself and others: "Don't get comfortable, don't get lazy, don't think you're invincible."
Community Support and Shared Experiences
Following his post, Thomas received an outpouring of messages from fans experiencing similar arthritis challenges. He responded with a series of Instagram Stories videos, expressing solidarity with those facing the condition. "First and foremost, my love goes out to you guys," he said. "I know how you feel and I know how challenging it can be."
The actor described his current situation as "a little bit of a tough time," noting increased tightness in his fingers and persistent wrist soreness. He appealed to his followers for advice, particularly from those using similar biologic treatments, while hoping his symptoms represent merely a flare-up rather than treatment failure.
Understanding Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a long-term autoimmune condition affecting joints, skin, and sometimes organs, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Approximately one-third of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis as they age. While there is currently no cure, treatments aim to control symptoms and prevent joint damage through various medications including:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Steroid injections
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Biological treatments like those Thomas receives
Thomas's journey with the condition has been particularly public since his 2023 diagnosis. Prior to finding effective treatment, he described periods where he could "barely walk" and experienced "unbearable" pain that left him needing assistance with basic tasks like getting dressed.
A Journey of Ups and Downs
The actor's health battle has seen significant fluctuations. Just months before his recent setback, Thomas celebrated being pain-free thanks to biologic injections, describing the transformation as "miraculous." These medications work by targeting specific proteins in the immune system to reduce inflammation.
However, his current experience highlights the unpredictable nature of chronic autoimmune conditions. "I'm hoping it's just because I missed the injection, and not that the medication is wearing off," Thomas shared, "because if that's the case, I'm back to square one again."
Thomas, brother to actors Ryan and Scott Thomas, continues to maintain a positive outlook despite the challenges. "I'm going to stay positive," he vowed, hoping his current pain represents merely a temporary flare-up rather than a more serious treatment complication.
