Solange Knowles Reveals 6-Year Battle With Multiple Auto-Immune Disorders

Solange Knowles attends the 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2019. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Singer and actress Solange Knowles revealed she has been quietly battling multiple health conditions over the past six years.

In hopes of relating to others going through similar circumstances, Knowles, 38, who is Beyoncé’s sister, disclosed on fellow musician Shaun Ross’ Instagram post that she suffers from postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), Sjogren’s syndrome, and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).

According to the Mayo Clinic, POTS is a chronic condition that affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary body functions such as heart rate and blood pressure.

Ross was diagnosed with the same condition and took to his social media page to discuss his experience, leading Knowles to follow suit on Oct. 25 to share her own journey.

“Sending u so much love and strength, Shaun, and to all in the comments struggling with the debilitating, confusing, and lonely symptoms of POTS!” Knowles wrote in a comment.

“I got diagnosed with POTS, Sjogren’s, and MCAS in 2018 and really relate to not wanting your health to be your identity.”

Sjogren’s syndrome also affects the body’s immune system, specifically the moisture-producing glands and, most commonly, the salivary and lacrimal glands, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Dry eyes and dry mouth are the most common symptoms, but multiple parts of the body where glands are present can be impacted.

Meanwhile, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology defines MCAS as a condition that impacts allergy-related cells in the body.

A person with MCAS experiences repeated episodes of anaphylaxis symptoms that include hives, swelling, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and more.

In response, Ross expressed gratitude to his friend for opening up and how his debilitating condition has altered his life.

“Thank you so much, Solange. You’ve known me since I was a teen and how energetic I can be. This definitely changed my entire outlook on so much trying to navigate this entirely. I appreciate you so much. Sending love,” he wrote.

Before this, Knowles had not spoken candidly about her health struggles but acknowledged how difficult it has been, even offering an outlet to others for support.

“The good folks at @dysautonomiaintl were really an incredible resource for me, and I feel really grateful for the spoonie [those who suffer from chronic illnesses and disabilities] community for holding me down during my times of complete uncertainty! Sending an abundance of love your way !” she said.

Dysautonomia International is a nonprofit organization that focuses on “improving the lives of individuals living with autonomic nervous system disorders through research, physician education, public awareness, and patient empowerment programs.”

In 2017, Knowles canceled several performances, including New Year’s Eve at Afropunk Fest in South Africa and Florida State University’s Homecoming concert, citing treatment for “medical conditions.”

In a since-deleted post, Knowles said—without revealing her diagnosis—that her situation was “complicated,” adding that she still has a lot to learn about herself and what she’s experiencing.

“[It’s] been a journey that hasn’t been easy on me… Sometimes I feel cool, and other times not so cool at all,” she said at the time.