Gardeners' World star left in 'throbbing pain' as he reveals 20-year health battle
10/25/2024 09:41 AM
GARDENERS’ World star Adam Frost has opened up about the 'throbbing' pain he has had for two decades.
He revealed he was sent from 'pillar to post' as doctors were unable to find the cause of his 'very odd' pain.
Adam is best known for his role on Gardeners’ World, where he gives viewers advice on how to tend to their greenery.
However, the BBC presenter revealed on Morning Live: “Around 20 years ago, I started to experience some unusual symptoms. I started to experience these very odd pains.”
“They started in my neck, back, and shoulders, like this throbbing, and that then just moved through the rest of my body.”
Adam then revealed that for almost two years he was sent from pillar to post as doctors struggled to identify what was causing him to be so unwell.
He said: “For most of my life, I've considered myself pretty fit and healthy, regularly playing sports and, of course, spending lots of time in the garden.
“Finally, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It was a huge relief for about five minutes and then it was another twelve months of going on this journey of understanding to eventually getting some sort of treatment.”
Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.
The NHS website explains that some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia can include increased sensitivity to pain, muscle stiffness, difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, difficulty concentrating or remembering things and headaches.
However symptoms can be vary for different people and the exact cause of the condition is unknown.
In the show, Adam met a fellow sufferer of fibromyalgia called Helen Keane as well as Dr Katie Herring, who specialises in pain management.
He hoped opening up about his diagnosis would raise awareness of the condition and said: “Today has invoked an awful lot of emotion inside of me.
“I know there's a lot of classic symptoms with fibromyalgia, but you do get the sense that everybody's experience is slightly different.
“But to think the research that is being done and we could be getting closer to a cure for me. That is absolutely amazing.”
Adam has been candid before about the health issues he faced during the pandemic.
He was diagnosed with depression and burnout during lockdown when his wife ended up in hospital.
Sulina Frost was in a medical ward with sepsis for around three months, and Adam was devastated by his wife’s condition.
Besides starring alongside Monty Don on Gardeners’ World since 2016, Adam also runs his own garden design company which is based in Stamford, Lincolnshire.
What is fibromyalgia?
Almost 3% of the global popular have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia - but what is it?
- According to the NHS, fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a long-term condition that causes fatigue and pain all over the body.
- Fibromyalgia is often triggered by a trauma, such as a car accident or childbirth, as well as infections. Why this occurs is unclear.
- The discomfort tends to be felt as aches and burning from head-to-toe.
- And the fatigue ranges from feeling sleepy to the exhaustion of having the flu.
- Other symptoms can include headaches; IBS; diarrhoea or constipation; poor concentration; dizziness; allergies and stimuli sensitivity, such as to light or heat.
- Severe sufferers are often unable to work or socialise as a result.
- FMS often goes undiagnosed for years as it is not detected by X-rays and other medical tests.
- There is currently no cure for fibromyalgia but treatments to help relieve pain and aid sleep are available.
