Ulrika Jonsson, 54, has opened up about being in agony at night from her arthritis.
The single mum-of-four also said it’s not the “sexiest” condition to have, but that she’s always open about her challenges with those she is dating.
Arthritis is common among people who are mid-40s and older and causes pain and joint inflammation.
Ulrika, who is currently single, told The Sun: “I’m not in a relationship – when I was married, I mean sleeping next to someone is not ideal if you’re awake or if you’re in pain and that’s one of the things that I was thinking about in relation to this campaign.
“It’s bound to affect relationships and people around you and your ability to be intimate maybe.”
The Celebs Go Dating star is keen to use her profile to raise awareness. She has teamed up with social venture Arthr, whose recent study discovered three quarters of those with arthritis said their joint pain disrupts their sleep.
The study also found that it can impact their sex life.
Ulrika opened up on how she handles the condition, saying: “I do laugh and joke about it, if it takes me a while to get out of a chair, I will say ‘oh, here’s the arthritis again’ and I think maybe people think I’m joking and just taking the mickey but it’s actually real and happening. It’s a huge part of what I am.”
Ulrika, who hosted Gladiators, and appeared on shows including Shooting Stars and Celebrity Big Brother, revealed she’s had the condition since childhood and has to manage it the best she can.
“The other night it flared up and I was lying there at 3’o clock in the morning, this is so painful, it’s not every night but I would say I have pain every day, I’m so used to it as if it was a familiar pain,” she added.
And she spoke about how the lack of sleep due to waking up can often see her mood dip.
She continued: “I’m a mother of four, I first became a mum 28 years ago, I’m used to sleepless nights and disturbed sleep but lack of sleep gives you a kind of brain fog, you can be moody and snappy.”
Ulrika does regular Pilates to help correct her posture and manage the condition.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
