It sounds like those lumps or knots in the back of the neck could be swollen lymph nodes, which are actually quite common with lupus — especially during a flare. Lupus causes the immune system to go into overdrive, triggering inflammation that can cause lymph nodes to swell.
A MyLupusTeam member shared a similar experience Show Full Answer
It sounds like those lumps or knots in the back of the neck could be swollen lymph nodes, which are actually quite common with lupus — especially during a flare. Lupus causes the immune system to go into overdrive, triggering inflammation that can cause lymph nodes to swell.
A MyLupusTeam member shared a similar experience, noting that their lymph nodes never fully go down but get slightly larger during a flare. Here are a few things worth knowing about swollen lymph nodes and lupus:
- They can appear in the neck, armpits, groin, head, and throat
- Stress can make swelling worse — as one MyLupusTeam member put it, "stress makes anything worse"
- A warm compress or heating pad on the neck can help ease discomfort
- They may take weeks or even months to go down
Since this is a new symptom since your diagnosis, it's really important to let your healthcare team know. They may want to run some tests to rule out other causes and may adjust your lupus treatment if needed.
May 3
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