Reality TV personality Brandi Glanville has been fighting a tough health battle for years. Now, thanks to a chance meeting online, she has a new doctor and a fresh treatment plan for her facial disfigurement.
The 52-year-old former star of ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ recently shared with a major entertainment publication how she stumbled upon her new doctor. Dr. Michael Scoma, an infectious disease specialist from New York, met Glanville online by chance. She hopes he can finally bring her relief.
Glanville explained that Dr. Scoma focuses on patients with hard-to-diagnose conditions. These are cases where others just can’t find an answer. His first step involves giving her intravenous antibiotics and antifungal medicines. These are delivered through a PICC line placed in her arm.
Brandi admitted she feels like ‘a mess’ right now. She tries to stay positive, even joking that her life feels like the video game ‘The Last of Us.’ She said she was ‘turning into one of those infected people.’ The feeling was very real for her. She described having bumps on her face that were moving. She told the publication it was ‘the strangest feeling’ to realize something was shifting beneath her skin.
Dr. Scoma wasn’t sure if a parasite was involved since he wasn’t her first doctor. He noted that if it was, it would be gone by now. He explained that her deep tissue infection, which includes staph and other issues, acts a lot like a parasite. It causes fluid to ‘jump’ across her face as it spreads.
At first, the problem was only on her face. But the infection has now spread significantly. It covers her entire head, neck, shoulder, clavicle, and even down her left arm. For two years, she often heard from doctors that nothing was actually wrong with her. That must have been incredibly frustrating.
Her health nightmare began in January 2023. She had just returned from Morocco after filming Season 4 of ‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.’ While there, she picked up a parasite. (She actually left the show after co-star Caroline Manzo accused her of bad behavior during filming, which Glanville strongly denies). The parasite was treated, and things did calm down some. However, she was left with a stubborn skin infection. She mentioned having fluid come out of her ear and a sunken look to her face. She hopes Dr. Scoma can help fix these remaining issues.
Dr. Scoma stated that their current main goal is to treat Brandi’s long-term infection. They also want to address all the side effects it has caused. Once the infection is fully under control and she is stable, they can look at her next steps. Dr. Scoma is taking a careful, multi-stage approach. The IV antibiotics Brandi mentioned are just the start, a short-term fix. For the long haul, he plans to use oral antibiotics and keep a close eye on her. He will adjust the plan based on how she responds. Dr. Scoma feels positive. He expects to see big improvements in the coming weeks. He believes Brandi can make a full recovery.
Brandi needs to stick closely to Dr. Scoma’s treatment plans. Her healing process also requires plenty of rest and a diet rich in protein. She should also focus on simple ways to boost her immune health. This includes drinking enough water, managing stress, and getting key nutrients.
Beyond her medical team, the reality TV veteran has also teamed up with Rachel Strauss. Strauss is a health strategist known as the PBM Princess. She’s helping Brandi deal with her massive medical bills.
Glanville explained that Strauss acts as an advocate for people overwhelmed by medical debt. She noted that high bills add stress, which can make health problems worse. Brandi revealed her medical bills are “well over” $130,000. Strauss aims to ‘recover some of Brandi’s money’ as they work together. She admitted they might not erase $100,000 all at once. But she will make sure the right parties pay the claims. Brandi’s part is to work with the hospitals and check the billing. They need to ensure everything is correct. Some charges were true emergencies that doctors will verify. They will also try to lower the costs wherever possible.
Brandi Glanville Pixie Productions
Brandi has seen 21 different doctors about her health issues. This long search is part of why her medical debt is so high. Some of these doctors suggested her facial disfigurement came from ‘old fillers.’ She has made it clear she won’t see a plastic surgeon anytime soon. However, she hopes to get a facelift eventually. Her doctor believes her skin should regrow a good amount. Still, it won’t be as much as she’d like because too much dissolved. She also stressed that it will be at least a year before she can have any cosmetic work. And she vows never to get injectables again. When asked about future cosmetic surgery for Glanville, Dr. Scoma echoed his earlier point. He said their focus is on treating her long-term infection and its effects. Only after she is stable and the infection is fully controlled will they consider next steps for her recovery.