Brandi Glanville is no stranger to drama, but this time, it’s a battle unlike anything she’s faced before—a mysterious and debilitating illness that has taken over her life, disfigured her face, and left doctors puzzled. The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star is in the fight of her life, burning through over $70,000 in a desperate search for answers while holding onto hope that she can reclaim her health, her life, and her purpose.
It all began two years ago after a trip to Africa when Glanville returned home feeling off. Symptoms of depression crept in, and months later, more alarming signs surfaced—her speech slurred, her face swelled, and eventually, she collapsed, landing her in the hospital. Doctors initially diagnosed her with stress-induced angioedema, a condition that causes swelling beneath the skin, but Glanville wasn’t convinced.
Her instincts may have been right. Specialists—immunologists, rheumatologists, dermatologists, and radiologists—have all examined her, yet no one has cracked the case. “They suggest that it could be a parasite, but they’re not sure,” Glanville said. And while the words “parasite in her face” sound like something ripped from a medical thriller, the reality for Glanville is far more grim—unrelenting symptoms, mounting medical bills, and the loss of her livelihood.
Sick it! pic.twitter.com/hrtAzRwOCW
— Brandi Glanville (@BrandiGlanville) December 8, 2024
The toll has been both physical and emotional. Unable to work and watching her savings dwindle, Glanville admitted that life has felt “very grim” at times. “I’m scared of not being able to pay my rent and do all the things that I need to do,” she said, highlighting the all-too-real vulnerability that comes with facing an undiagnosed illness.
But through it all, Glanville has managed to find slivers of hope. CellSound treatments—cutting-edge ultrasound technology designed to improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage—have offered some relief, making her feel, for the first time, like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Top plastic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Nikolov noted that the treatments help rejuvenate tissue without reducing essential fatty layers, giving Glanville at least one tool to fight back.
I have zero drama with @DrDubrow I appreciate all the help I can get🙏we have been in touch and plan to talk thank you for all the love. All fillers that were in my face have been dissolved. I have seen all the best doctors at cedar Sinai,&all the doctors they referred me to💕
— Brandi Glanville (@BrandiGlanville) December 13, 2024
Still, time is of the essence. Dr. Terry Dubrow—known for his expertise and no-nonsense approach on Botched—issued a warning: “It’s a ticking time bomb.” Dubrow believes the cause may not be a traditional parasite but rather a microorganism introduced into Glanville’s bloodstream during her trip. “Every minute that that microorganism is allowed to stay in her skin and do potential damage, she could suffer worse for it.” His recommendation? A surgical intervention to remove tissue for analysis and pinpoint the exact cause.
Glanville has taken Dubrow up on his offer, calling his help a lifeline during this uphill battle. While she’s had to fend off online chatter about fillers and past cosmetic treatments—clarifying that “all fillers have been dissolved”—she remains focused on finding a solution.
