Carrie Ann Inaba has publicly said she lives with Sjögren’s disease. In a 2020 interview she also said she has fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, and that she had recently learned she has lupus. Her 2026 account dates the Sjögren’s diagnosis to 2013. These are her own disclosures, not medical records released by anyone else, so this article reports what she has said, when she said it, and what the public health guidance says about the conditions she named.
The conditions she has disclosed
Inaba has spoken about several conditions in different interviews, and the sources differ in how much detail they give. The table below separates each condition from the setting in which she described it.
| Condition | What Inaba has said | Where and when she said it |
|---|---|---|
| Sjögren’s disease | She lives with it. Her 2026 account says a rheumatologist confirmed it in 2013, after years of symptoms and several doctors. | A Novartis-sponsored interview published June 12, 2026, and a Good Morning America report dated October 5, 2026 |
| Fibromyalgia | “I also have fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.” | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine interview, July 28, 2020 |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | Stated in the same sentence as fibromyalgia. | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine interview, July 28, 2020 |
| Lupus | She said she had recently learned she has lupus after reading about it in her medical notes during a colonoscopy visit. | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine interview, July 28, 2020 |
| Scoliosis and spinal stenosis | Listed among her conditions in a first-person page on her personal site, Carrie Ann Conversations. | Publication date not stated on the page |
The conditions above are self-reported. None of the sources reviewed for this article includes a clinical record that confirms each diagnosis, and the 2020 and 2026 accounts do not repeat the same details. Where this article gives a date, it is the date attached to a specific account.
Her Sjögren’s diagnosis timeline
Inaba’s accounts describe a long path to a diagnosis rather than a single moment of discovery.
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- Years before diagnosis: In the 2020 interview she described years of dry eyes before she saw a rheumatologist, who diagnosed Sjögren’s after she had experienced pain and fatigue.
- 2013: Her 2026 account says the diagnosis was confirmed in 2013, after about a decade of symptoms and multiple doctors. The 2020 interview does not give this date.
- 2020 and 2026: Both accounts describe her as having the condition and learning to manage it, but they differ in how much of the medical history they include.
What Sjögren’s disease involves
Sjögren’s is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the glands that make moisture, mainly the tear glands and the salivary glands. That is why dry eyes and dry mouth are the best-known symptoms. The condition is systemic, meaning it can affect the whole body rather than only the glands.
Dry eyes and dry mouth
Dry eyes can cause burning, grittiness, and light sensitivity. Dry mouth can make eating, speaking, and swallowing harder, and it raises the risk of tooth decay and gum problems. These symptoms are the most common reason people first see a doctor, which is why many patients meet an eye doctor or dentist before a rheumatologist.
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Effects beyond the glands
Sjögren’s can also cause fatigue, joint and muscle pain, dry skin, and rashes. The disease may involve organs including the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system. Symptoms vary widely from person to person. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) says there is currently no cure, so treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing complications.
How many people are affected
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) estimates that 1 to 4 million people in the United States have Sjögren’s disease. Its Sjögren’s disease page was last reviewed in February 2026. The estimate is a range, not a precise count.
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How Sjögren’s is diagnosed
No single test confirms Sjögren’s. According to NIAMS, clinicians assess symptoms and medical history first, then may use some combination of the following:
- Eye tests to measure tear production and eye surface damage
- Salivary gland tests to measure saliva flow
- Blood tests, including antibody tests
- Imaging of the glands or other organs
- A biopsy, when it is needed to confirm the diagnosis
Antibody results alone do not establish the diagnosis. A rheumatologist often leads the process, while eye doctors and dentists contribute tests and ongoing care.
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- Size Selection Tip: Measure your upper arm (bicep) circumference and refer to our size chart for an accurate fit. Do not rely on clothing sizes. Compression is firm, so if you are between sizes or have swelling or circulation issues, size up for comfort
- Effective Relief for Arm Conditions: Designed for lymphedema, lipedema, swelling, burn and scar care, ulcers, cellulitis, and post-operative and post-traumatic arm edema. Reduces discomfort and promotes healthy circulation
- 1 Pair with UV Protection: Each pack includes two sleeves, offering more value than single-sleeve options. UPF 50+ provides reliable sun protection for sensitive skin, ideal for extended wear
- Breathable & Soft: Made with soft, breathable, Oeko-Tex Certified fabric that is non-irritating, UV-protective, latex-free, and free from silicone dots, keeping your arm cool and comfortable all day
Inaba’s routine compared with clinical guidance
Inaba has described her own habits for managing symptoms. The table places each habit next to what the NIAMS and NIDCR material lists as a general measure, so readers can see which steps are self-care and which are decisions for a clinician.
| Symptom area | Inaba’s reported practice | Listed in NIAMS or NIDCR guidance | Who directs it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry eyes | Eye drops | Artificial tears or eye ointments | Self-care, with eye doctor input for persistent dryness |
| Dry air and dry skin | A room humidifier; she said she sleeps better with one | Humidifiers and moisturizing dry skin | Self-care |
| Dry mouth | A moisturizing spray and mints | Sugar-free gum or candy, fluoride toothpaste, and regular dental visits | Self-care, with dentist input |
| General hydration | Carrying water | Drinking water | Self-care |
| Pain | Acupuncture, massage, and medications | Not stated in the NIAMS or NIDCR material reviewed; care is individualized | Clinician-directed, including any medication |
| Boundaries and communication | Setting limits and telling people around her about a condition they may not see | Not stated in the NIAMS or NIDCR material reviewed | Personal |
Her routine is a personal account, not a treatment plan. Persistent dryness, pain, or fatigue should be raised with a clinician or dentist, who can decide which measures suit a particular case. A product or habit that helps one person does not treat the underlying autoimmune disease.
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- ✅ TRI-ACTION RELIABLE SUPPORT- The compression tubes are made with cotton for its lightweight and breathable properties, spandex for its ability to deliver uniform compression, and elastic for enhanced tissue and joint support. With three quality materials working together, these stockinette are designed to provide uniform, reliable, gentle and effective support.
- ✅ ADJUSTABLE PRESSURE- We worked extra hard to ensure these elastic support bandages are thin, lightweight and breathable. Not only this would offer more effective pain relief with better temperature control, but also enable patients to layer the bandage as needed for increased pressure while still maintain comfortable support.
- ✅ ONE STEP APPLICATION- Rather than layering bandages or applying tapes, the tubular bandage can easily cover any wound dressing with simply one step application, no pins or tapes needed. We offer these tubular stockinette bandages in a variety of sizes, just measure, cut and slide; you can now rest easy knowing that a dressing will be secured in place until removal.
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Her own words on living with a condition others may not see
Three statements from Inaba are useful for understanding how she describes the experience. Each is quoted exactly as published.
Quick Recap
- From the NIH MedlinePlus Magazine interview, July 28, 2020: “Sjögren’s has made me stand up and set limits and boundaries so I can take care of myself.”
- From a Novartis interview, June 12, 2026: “I suffered in silence for a long time.”
- From the same Novartis interview: “I learned to trust myself and what my body is telling me.”
How much weight each source carries
- NIH MedlinePlus Magazine (July 28, 2020): The main source for the fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus disclosures and for her daily routine.
- Novartis interview (June 12, 2026): The source for the 2013 diagnosis date. It was published as part of a Novartis awareness campaign for Sjögren’s, so it is promotional in context, even though it is first-person.
- Good Morning America (October 5, 2026): A recent report on her Sjögren’s journey. The page discloses that Novartis sponsored the program.
- NIAMS and NIDCR: Official descriptions of Sjögren’s, its diagnosis, and general self-care. NIDCR’s page was last reviewed in February 2026.
- Carrie Ann Conversations: Her personal site. The page listing her conditions has no clear publication date, so treat its list as her own statement without a date.
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