Emmerdale’s Adam Thomas opens up on brutal health battle, saying ‘I’ve been in pain every day for two years’
EMMERDALE actor Adam Thomas has opened up about his agonising battle with an autoimmune disease that has left him in daily pain for the past two and a half years.
During the interview, Good Morning Britain 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 was diagnosed with rhematoid arthritis – a condition that effects the joints – in 2023 just before he took part in Strictly Come Dancing.
The 36-year-old actor 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.
He was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2023 and recently screamed in pain as he filmed himself injecting his treatment.
He said back in October: “The pain is pretty unbearable at the moment, it’s as if my whole body is seizing up!!
“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.”
Earlier 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.