For over a decade, “Dancing With the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inaba has been struggling with the effects of her autoimmune condition.
She received a diagnosis of Sjogren’s disease in 2013, which causes a wide range of painful symptoms. Many living with the condition experience intense dryness and chronic fatigue, which were among Carrie Ann Inaba’s symptoms.
Today, the 58-year-old still strives to live as normally as possible. In a new interview, she bravely detailed how challenging a normal day can be when her Sjogren’s disease flares.
Carrie Ann Inaba Describes Living With Daily Pain Due to Her Autoimmune Disease
Although Carrie Ann Inaba still lives a fulfilling life, she has to take extra precautions when it comes to her health. Recently, the former Fly Girl revealed she suffered a serious medical emergency in the middle of a flight.
Thankfully, Carrie Ann recovered from the incident. However, she admitted the situation “scared” her. Now, she’s bravely opening up about living with Sjogren’s disease and how it impacts her daily life.
“You don’t see it on me right now,” the 58-year-old shared with PEOPLE in a new interview. “I have Sjogren’s disease, and I look like, maybe I’m feeling fine, but I live with constant pain, constant dryness in my eyes and in my mouth, constant fatigue. My life is all about energy management.”
Carrie Ann Inaba has been incredibly forthcoming about her health over the years. She also occasionally has to step away from the judges’ table on DWTS when her condition flares to an unmanageable degree.
“Sjogren’s is always with me. It’s invisible, you can’t see it, but it’s always with me,” the “Dancing With the Stars” judge continued. “I always have pain. I always have fatigue. It’s about how I manage that pain.”
Although Carrie Ann knows she has a wide network of supporters, living with her condition has also cost her loved ones and opportunities.
“As the years progressed, it was sadness. Because I recognize what I’m losing by having Sjogren’s disease. I’ve lost a lot of friendships. I’ve lost a social life. I don’t have a relationship [because] .. I don’t have a lot of energy to give to another person at this moment. I’m constantly managing my energy,” Carrie Ann vulnerably shared.
The Entertainer Seeks to Educate Others on Sjogren’s Disease
Thankfully, Carrie Ann Inaba bounced back after her frightening flare. However, she knows another health scare could come at any time.
“Sjogren’s disease is a systemic autoimmune disease,” she told Parade. “And there is a widespread array of symptoms, and everybody experiences it slightly differently.”
The ballroom judge wants to educate others about Sjogren’s disease so they can advocate for themselves and feel less lonely.
“I have found that that’s very helpful when you hear other people’s journey, you feel less alone,” Carrie Ann told Parade. “Having Sjogren’s disease, specifically, is challenging because it’s invisible and you can have good days where you’re functioning really well and no one would think—even yourself included—that you’re dealing with an autoimmune disease.”
Carrie Ann Inaba and the rest of the “Dancing With the Stars” cast are expected to return for season 35 this September.
