Tuesday 14 June 2022 12:16 AM Dame Sheila Hancock receives biologic drug injections to manage rheumatoid ... trends now
Dame Sheila Hancock is on a weekly biologic drug injection to manage pain after she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2018.
The actress, 89, regularly visits the hospital for check ups and frequently has blood tests to monitor her health.
But she says she feels lucky to have her injections - which have only recently come into use for the public.
Health update: Dame Sheila Hancock, 89, is on a weekly biologic drug injection to manage pain after she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2018
She told the Radio Times: 'I’m on immunosuppressants so I was "extremely vulnerable" and all that bulls**t during lockdown.
'But I’m lucky because I’m on a weekly injection of what they call a biologic drug, only recently in general use.
'It’s amazing. Somebody my age would have been crippled in the old days. I have occasional flare-ups of pain but I force myself to rise above it.'
Check ups: The actress regularly visits the hospital for check ups and frequently has blood tests to monitor her health
Biologic drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are made from proteins. They work by blocking the activity of a key chemical or cell or protein involved in inflammation that gives rise to joint swelling and other symptoms.
The star went on to say that she has to do exercises every morning to stop herself from seizing up, adding that she goes to the gym once or twice a week, a habit that took hold when she was training for her 2017 film Edie in which she plays an octogenarian widow who climbs a mountain.
Dame Sheila said she often experiences trouble with her shoulders and her legs and admits she doesn't know whether it's a flare-up from her condition or part of the ageing process.
In addition, she sustained an injury to her back and required medication to help ease the pain.
Fortunate: She says she feels lucky to have her injections which have only recently come into use for the public (pictured preparing for her role as Cyrenne in the West End production of the play Rattle of a Simple Man in 1963)
The screen star praises a gluten-free and vegan diet for helping to keep her health on track.
It comes after Dame Sheila confessed it is a 'burden' to be labelled a 'strong' woman and says it's merely a way of calling women 'difficult'.
The star admitted being a strong female is 'undermining' and means you will get 'a lot of stick' for speaking your mind.
