Brandi Glanville, the bold and often controversial star from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, has shared her harrowing battle against what she believes is a parasite that's taken residence in her face. For the past year, Glanville has navigated through numerous medical consultations and extensive tests, racking up over $70,000 in what seems to be futile efforts to identify and treat her alarming condition.
The 52-year-old reality star first noticed signs of something off when she returned from filming Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in Morocco. She recalls the moments after indulging in some questionable foods during the trip, particularly meat dishes left out for hours. "Six months after I got back from Morocco, I started having this speaking thing and the swelling up thing," she detailed, indicating how her health began to deteriorate shortly after her return.
Since then, Glanville has been on medication trying to alleviate her symptoms, which she describes as bizarre and unsettling. "It feels like it’s s***ing or having babies,” she shared, talking about the strange sensations under her skin, where she perceives the parasite moving around. She does not hold back when explaining her symptoms, saying, "It looks like tiny bubbles bursting." Glanville recounts how these sensations intensified her anxiety and pressure to find the cause behind her precarious condition.
Despite undergoing what she describes as every imaginable test, from blood work costing upwards of $10,000 to various consultations with specialists, no one has been able to give her a definite answer. “Honestly, I have so many doctors, and I’ve had so many tests. They ran every test under the sun,” she expressed, showing her deep frustration at not having clarity. The uncertainty has not only wreaked havoc on her health, but it has also impacted her well-being, leaving her feeling isolated—"I don’t socialize. I don’t go out. I’m just spending all of my money trying to figure out what’s wrong with me,” she lamented.
Unfortunately, the parasite issue is just one facet of her problems. Glanville has also suffered severe dental issues, losing five of her teeth amid all the stress and physical changes she’s experienced. Her condition has led to stress-induced angioedema, which has caused significant swelling and shifting of her teeth, making her appearance noticeably different from her earlier self.
On December 7, she decided to confront the rumors surrounding her appearance by posting candid photos of her bare face on social media. Her post quickly went viral, garnering over 1.1 million views. "Sick it," she captioned the raw image to convey the seriousness of her predicament. She expressed exasperation over the misconception of her being frequently involved with plastic surgery, stating emphatically, “I’m so sick of the narrative.”
Glanville’s struggles have pushed her to the fringes of society. With limited social interactions and rising medical expenses, her mental health hangs in the balance. Crying is now part of her daily routine, and she stated, "Everyone thinks I’m so tough but I’m fragile right now"—an alarming admission from someone often seen as outspoken and resilient. She stressed just how important it is to her to receive answers, not necessarily for the sake of finding out about the parasite but just to have clarity on her health. "Even if it’s like a tumor, I want to know," she confided. "Honestly, health is wealth, and that's all I want."
Throughout this tumultuous year, Glanville has had to grapple with the emotional and physical toll her health has taken on her life. Friends and fans alike have expressed concern for her well-being, especially as her public persona is often marked by discussions of beauty and confidence. This twist has turned her attention from glamour to the grueling fight for her health, as she remains hopeful for answers and relief.