The Emmy-nominated talk show host and choreographer encourages each of us to stay positive and take charge of our health.
Perhaps best known as the positive and encouraging judge on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning television show Dancing with the Stars, Carrie Ann Inaba is also a choreographer, writer, producer, animal advocate and the Emmy-nominated host of The Talk. But this past April, Carrie Ann announced she was taking a leave of absence from the popular daytime television show to focus on her health. My Hometown Health recently talked with Carrie Ann to discuss the multiple autoimmune conditions and other medical challenges she’s been openly and courageously facing for years.
When did you first realize you were having health issues?
Prior to 2013, I had been struggling with pain, dryness in my eyes, and difficulty swallowing. I had also been diagnosed with spinal stenosis in my cervical spine, which was causing a lot of pain and stiffness in my neck and shoulders.
It was quite a process to be diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. I had to visit many doctors, and many special blood tests were needed to officially diagnose my conditions. Autoimmune diseases can be so confusing, and the symptoms can mimic so many other things that it takes a while to be diagnosed. Finally, in 2013, I was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome. It’s a complicated autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s moisture-producing glands, which explains the symptoms I was having. At the same time, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and discovered I had the markers for antiphospholipid syndrome, another autoimmune disorder that can lead to blood clots.
Are you living with other medical conditions today?
I have lupus, which attacks the body’s organs and causes fatigue, sun sensitivity, joint pain and swelling. My most recent diagnosis is fibromyalgia. It’s a neurological disorder that causes pain throughout the entire body, along with fatigue and sometimes brain fog.
How have these health challenges impacted your life and your dancing?
Autoimmune diseases affect everyone differently and abide by no one’s schedule. What I’ve learned is to have compassion for myself, which extends, of course, to others. I’ve learned to accept what is and be kind to myself on those days I need to go slower. This is so different from the work ethic I learned as a dancer, which was to push, push, push through the pain. I’m learning how to take better care of myself. After all, if I’m not working at my best, I can’t do any good for anyone else.
Flare-ups are a classic condition of autoimmune disorders. What changes have you made to prevent or reduce their frequency?
Because of my lupus, I’m very careful about going into the sun, and I always wear proper sunscreen. I also have a whole new wardrobe of SPF (Sun Protection Factor) clothing and hats. I’m working on eliminating foods that don’t work for me, staying away from oil, dairy, gluten and eggs. Keeping a food diary has really helped me, too. I have also been going to physical therapy and receiving gentle traction on my neck to help relieve the pressure on the nerves. Yoga and meditation are important and helpful. I’ve also improved my skills in the kitchen so I can prepare meals that support my wellness.
I used to have flare-ups once every few months, usually after over-exerting myself. Then, in 2020, my pain levels kept rising, and I couldn’t bring them back down. We tried a lot of different approaches, but nothing really worked. We finally figured out that my fibromyalgia could be the main culprit. We adjusted my medications and that really made a difference.
What advice would give people who have an autoimmune disease?
Number one is to stay calm and know that it doesn’t have to be a scary life sentence. On my online magazine, Carrie Ann Conversations, I share a lot of tips for living with autoimmune diseases. My overall advice is to find what works for you and don’t give up until you do. Never give up, trust yourself, and know that you know best. Ask a lot of questions, and keep asking questions. Remember that you are in charge of your own life, and you get to choose what works best for you.
Any final thoughts? Every change in the world, I believe, occurs and starts with one’s self. The more we create harmony within ourselves, the more we take care of ourselves, the more we can create harmony in the world around us. So lead with love, not only for yourself, but for everyone around you.