Beyonce’s Sister, Solange Knowles, Reveals ‘Debilitating’ Battle With Multiple Autoimmune Disorders
Solange Knowles has opened up about her “debilitating” battle with multiple autoimmune disorders.
The “Losing You” singer revealed in the comments section of musician Shaun Ross’ Instagram post about his postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) diagnosis that she also suffers from the chronic condition, as well as Sjögren’s syndrome and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) since 2018.
“Sending u so much love and strength Shaun and to all in the comments struggling with the debilitating, confusing, and lonely symptoms of POTS !” Beyoncé’s younger sister penned.
Knowles, 38, then gave a shoutout Dysautonomia International, a non-profit that “seeks to improve the lives of individuals living with autonomic nervous system disorders through research, physician education, public awareness and patient empowerment programs,” according to its website.
“The good folks at @dysautonomiaintl were really an incredible resource for me and I feel really grateful for the spoonie community for holding me down during my times of complete uncertainty!” she raved.
Page Six had reached out to her reps for further comment but did not immediately hear back.
POTS affects the nervous system, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“The nerves that regulate blood flow are out of balance, so enough blood doesn’t go to the right place at the right time,” the website explains of the syndrome.
The lack of stable blood flow causes people to feel lightheadedness and dizziness. They sometimes even faint when they shift from lying down to standing up.
People with Sjögren’s have an immune system that “damages the glands that produce and control moisture in your body,” per Mayo Clinic. This results in dryness in the eyes, throat, mouth and other places.
In people with MCAS, their cells release a chemical agent too frequently, causing allergic reactions, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Symptoms include swelling, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure and severe diarrhea.
In 2017, Knowles revealed she was quietly dealing with an undisclosed autonomic disorder after she was forced to cancel her New Year’s Eve performance at the Afropunk Festival in South Africa because of her systems.
“[It’s] been a journey that hasn’t been easy on me,” the “Cranes in the Sky” singer wrote in a since-deleted post. “Sometimes I feel cool, and other times not so cool at all.”
Although Knowles kept her exact diagnosis under wraps at the time, she said it was “complicated” and that she was “still learning so much.”
