Brandi Glanville, the former star of *The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills*, has opened up about her ongoing struggle with facial disfigurement and the new treatment plan she has embarked on. The 52-year-old reality television personality shared details of her journey with Us Weekly, highlighting her collaboration with Dr. Michael Scoma, a specialist in challenging medical conditions based in New York City.
Glanville’s health issues began after returning from Morocco in January 2023, where she filmed *The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip* season 4. It was during this time that she discovered she had contracted a parasite, which she believes significantly contributed to her current health challenges. Glanville stated, “I spent two years being told there was really not anything wrong with me,” as she struggled to receive proper medical treatment.
New Treatment Approach
Dr. Scoma aims to address Glanville’s complex medical issues with a multi-phase treatment plan. As part of her initial treatment, she is receiving intravenous (IV) antibiotics and antifungal medications administered through a PICC line in her arm. Glanville described her condition, saying she feels “a wreck” and likened her situation to a character from the popular video game adaptation, *The Last of Us*. “I have lumps on my face and they’re moving around,” she explained, expressing the strangeness of knowing something is shifting beneath her skin.
According to Dr. Scoma, the main focus is to manage Glanville’s long-standing infection and its related complications. He noted, “Once the infection is fully controlled and she’s stable, we can evaluate any next steps to support her recovery.” The doctor expressed optimism, stating that meaningful progress could be expected within weeks, and he believes Glanville has the potential for a full recovery.
Financial and Emotional Support
In addition to her medical treatment, Glanville has enlisted the help of healthcare strategist Rachel Strauss, known as the PBM Princess. Strauss aims to assist Glanville in navigating her substantial medical expenses, which have reportedly exceeded $130,000. Strauss explained her mission to help Glanville recoup some of her costs while ensuring that her medical claims are properly addressed.
Glanville commented on the stress of accumulating medical bills, noting, “When you’re sick and they’re piling up, that causes stress and it makes your medical issues worse.” Strauss emphasized the importance of reviewing billing practices and working with hospitals to alleviate Glanville’s financial burden.
Despite her ongoing challenges, Glanville is determined to maintain a positive outlook. She has consulted over 21 medical professionals regarding her condition, and some have attributed her facial disfigurement to previous cosmetic procedures. While she has ruled out any immediate plans for cosmetic surgery, she expressed hope for future treatments once her health stabilizes. “It’s going to be at least a year before I can do anything cosmetic, and I won’t ever get an injection again,” she stated.
Glanville’s journey highlights not only the physical difficulties of dealing with health issues but also the emotional and financial strain that accompanies them. As she continues her treatment with Dr. Scoma and works with Strauss to manage her medical costs, Glanville remains focused on her recovery and the possibility of regaining her health.