I have not posted here for a while, so I will add a brief recollection of previous events.
I had, last time I had MRIs done, it was confirmed I had a 3x3x9mm tumor directly in the labyrinthine turn of my left cochlea, and what was either a second smaller tumor in the vestibule area, or possibly pressure from the first tumor making a tumor-like impression inside the vestibule. I was already fully deaf on that side by the time of the MRI, had alarmingly loud tinnitus that made distractingly strange changes throughout each day, and soon after I had vertigo attacks that are still the worst thing I have ever experienced in my life, my eyes involuntarily spasming and chasing a center of balance that was no longer there, vomiting and utter, weeping helplessness in minutes-long attacks every few days until the surgery was done.
Healing from it has been both a blessing and a mystery. All the stitches have been removed by an ENT local to my area months after, except the ones he said would erode away on their own. I got my sense of taste fully back, which was strangely altered for weeks after the surgery (ice on the tip of my tongue would set off a strange warm salty sensation that would persist for minutes after). My jaw used to be very tight and unable to open very far, and that has fully gone away, and about the only obvious sign of surgery being done is that my mouth always feels a little bit dry, especially after sleeping, so I drink lots of extra water.
Here's where I seek advice: is it safe to sleep on the surgery side? It used to be my most comfortable sleeping position, but it used to be sore and hurt there if I tried, and now it just feels... weirdly congested, at a loss to describe it another way, if I do so now. It's hard to sleep on my still-hearing side because I can get pressure bubbles that pop uncomfortably there that wake me up.
Also, how long can I safely put off another MRI? I have no noticable return of symptoms, except (if it counts), feelings of pressure all along the side of the surgery. They don't hurt, but there's a feeling of fullness that almost feels like a hand being held from my temple toward my left eye and jawline. Again, not painful, but distinctly there.
It's very hard to reach a doctor lately to assign me a MRI scheduling date, my funds are short even after insurance coverage, and I have a lot of life issues unrelated to the surgery and my medical status that make the stress level of all of this hard to imagine, even to think about. I know I should get one again, but soon sounds very difficult to do.
