Carrie Ann Inaba, the cherished judge from Dancing With The Stars, recently experienced a distressing medical situation during a flight that resulted in her being hospitalized. Since joining the show as a judge in its inaugural season in 2005, she has candidly shared her struggles with various health issues, including Sjögren’s syndrome. This autoimmune disorder causes the body to attack its moisture-producing glands, leading to symptoms like dry eyes and mouth.

Beyond Sjögren’s syndrome, Inaba has been diagnosed with several other conditions, such as Lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and spinal stenosis. Her openness in discussing these health challenges aims to raise awareness and provide solace to others navigating similar journeys. Recently, she recounted a particularly frightening episode that unfolded during a flight.

In a heartfelt Instagram update, Inaba detailed the unexpected health scare she experienced while en route to New York City for an event close to her heart. She explained, “I was on my way to NY for something I am very passionate about. But had a small ‘medical emergency’ on the plane. I very suddenly felt quite ill.”

Dancing With The Stars Judge Carrie Ann Inaba Had An In-Flight Medical Emergency

In an Instagram post, Carrie Ann revealed that she had a medical emergency on a flight to New York City. She wrote, “I was on my way to NY for something I am very passionate about. But had a small ‘medical emergency’ on the plane. I very suddenly felt quite ill.”

Carrie Ann shared that “it seemed like food poisoning,” but she also suddenly broke out into a cold sweat, got dizzy, and her arms went numb. She stated that she usually tries to deal with her health issues on her own, writing, “Normally I handle most of my health things on my own. 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.”

Carrie Ann also stated that while she was locked in the restroom, the plane was experiencing turbulence, so the flight attendants had been asked to sit in their seats. However, a particular physical symptom made her realize that she needed aid. Carrie Ann wrote, “I didn’t want to have anyone else put themselves at risk… but when my arms went numb, it was time to ask for help.”

Although Carrie Ann experienced such a harrowing ordeal, she was feeling grateful after the emergency. She stated, “I’m always thankful for the moments that scare or challenge me especially with my health. They remind me that while I often face my health challenges alone, I am not alone. None of us are. The helpers are everywhere.”

Carrie Ann then went on to thank everyone who helped her during her medical emergency, including the flight attendant who answered when she pushed the call button in the restroom, even though the plane was experiencing some turbulence, and she was supposed to be sitting in her seat. She said, “She immediately knew I was in trouble and needed medical attention.”

The Dancing With The Stars judge also thanked the medical professionals who came to her aid, writing, “Thank you to JD and Dr Shin who answered the call of ‘is there a doctor on board’ who helped put me at ease, checked me out while we were about to land and got me safely back to my seat before landing. They also told me to go to the ER.”

Carrie Ann then showed gratitude to several other people who helped in her time of need, writing, “Thanks to the Delta liason who stayed with me and organized the paramedics to meet me at the gate. Thank you to the kind woman sitting beside me who offered me a mint and gently patted my back when we landed. Thank you to the passengers who had to wait for me before they could disembark for their patience.”

Carrie Ann continued, “And @marylinmakeup [makeup artist Marylin Lee Spiegel] for being the friend you are. I’m so glad you were on the plane with me. Thanks to the paramedics that took me to the hospital, Wil and his partner who treated me with care and respect in a scary moment even when my blood pressure dropped on the ride to the ER, And then to the nurses and staff, especially Althea who had welcoming smile on her face even amidst all that was happening in this emergency room. (And there was a lot happening) I ultimately left the ER to go back to my hotel when I felt stable enough.”

Carrie Ann concluded by saying, “And thank you to @iv_king_joseph and @gdjelin for hooking me up with IV fluids and all the things I needed to help me recover. I also want to thank the outlets who had to reschedule because of what happened. Please know I’m so looking forward to speaking with all of you about something I am so passionate about. And to Sam, and the Octagon team, and of course the incredible Novartis Team who were so incredibly caring the CAA team (Ben and Stephanie) Jay Schwartz who scrambled to rearrange the schedule, and of course @marylinmakeup and @rhondaspiesstylist [fashion stylist Rhonda Spies] who are with me on this trip and who have been through so much with me over the years. I’m so grateful….”

In her Instagram post, Carrie Ann also included a video of her traveling by ambulance to the hospital, and wearing a bandage on her arm and a hospital bracelet once she got there. She captioned it, “So this happened…”

Carrie Ann Is Now Recovering From Her Medical Emergency

In an interview with USA TODAY, Carrie Ann shared that she was “resting up” after her in-flight medical emergency. The outlet reported that she was flying from Los Angeles to New York on April 15 for a campaign with pharmaceutical company Novartis to raise awareness for Sjögren’s disease.

However, during the flight, Carrie Ann began to feel “very unwell.” She said in a statement, “I was dizzy, nauseous, very warm and my arms started feeling numb. I received some assistance on the plane from the flight crew and a doctor onboard, which I am very thankful for, and went to the hospital upon landing, as well as received fluids.”

Carrie Ann stated that once she was stable, she left the hospital and went to her hotel, where she was administered IV fluids. She shared that the medical emergency was not related to her Sjögren’s disease. However, her diagnosis has “taught me the importance of listening to and trusting my body when something doesn’t feel right.”

Carrie Ann concluded by saying, “I’m resting up and looking forward to getting back into my advocacy work soon. I’m so grateful to the people who took care of me and helped me through such a scary experience.”

USA TODAY reported that authorities confirmed that at about 2:37 p.m. on April 15, Port Authority Police and EMS responded to a medical emergency aboard a Delta flight that was parked at Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy Airport. The person was transported to the hospital.

Dancing With The Stars judge Carrie Ann went through such a frightening situation, but she came out on the other side expressing gratitude. She’s a wonderful person, who’s used her own health struggles to help raise advocacy for others, and help to make them feel less alone in their medical journeys. Carrie Ann is wished all the best for a speedy recovery.

Sources: Carrie Ann Inaba/Instagram, USA TODAY