Carrie Ann Inaba, the renowned judge from Dancing with the Stars, has provided a health update after experiencing a medical emergency during a flight to New York City. The 58-year-old television personality detailed the incident in a recent Instagram video, explaining that she suddenly felt unwell while traveling from Los Angeles to New York.
In-Flight Emergency and Immediate Response
During the flight, Inaba reported feeling dizzy, nauseous, and unusually warm, with her arms becoming numb. She received immediate assistance from the in-flight crew and a doctor who happened to be onboard. Upon landing, paramedics met her at the gate and transported her to the emergency room via ambulance for further treatment.
Recovery and Gratitude
In a statement to USA Today, Inaba confirmed she is on the mend, having received fluids and medical care. She expressed profound gratitude to everyone who helped her during what she described as a scary experience. I'm so grateful to the people who took care of me and helped me through such a scary experience, she said, adding that she is resting and looks forward to resuming her advocacy work soon.
Connection to Advocacy Work
The incident occurred while Inaba was traveling with her pharmaceutical company, Novartis, to participate in a campaign raising awareness for Sjögren's disease, an autoimmune disorder she has been diagnosed with. She clarified that the medical emergency was unrelated to her Sjögren's, though she has not disclosed the specific cause.
Initial Symptoms and Turbulence Challenges
In her Instagram post, which included a video taken in the ambulance, Inaba initially thought her symptoms might be due to food poisoning. However, when her arms went numb, she realized it was more serious. She noted that the situation was compounded by turbulence during the flight, which required flight attendants to remain seated, making it difficult to seek help immediately.
Normally I handle most of my health things on my own, she wrote. Like many people who live with autoimmune disease, I travel with a health tool kit and am prepared for the worst, but this scared me.
Medical History and Ongoing Health
Carrie Ann Inaba has been open about her health struggles, having been diagnosed with multiple autoimmune disorders over the years, including Sjögren's syndrome, lupus, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis. In a 2021 post on her wellness platform, The Carrie Ann Conversations, she mentioned having markers for antiphospholipid syndrome, which can lead to blood clots.
In the comments of her recent post, she thanked the flight attendants and paramedics for their care and respect during the emergency, especially when her blood pressure dropped. She was hooked up to multiple IV fluids, which aided her recovery. I'm always thankful for the moments that scare or challenge me especially with my health, she wrote. They remind me that while I often face my health challenges alone, I am not alone. None of us are.
