November 2021, I had acute hearing loss and an MRI revealed I have a 3mm x 4mm schwannoma on my vestibular nerve adjacent to my cochlear. I get minor to severe headaches on the same side and ongoing dull to severe pain in my cheekbone. My hearing comes and goes, but is on an overall downward track and I have ringing all the time, but it doesn't bother me. I'm resolved that I will have hearing loss, but was hopeful the pain in my face and headaches might be alleviated with treatment. My 6 month MRI showed no growth, but I was still prepared to go ahead with the Middle Fossa surgery, until my doctor (An expert in this area and performed this surgery over 100 times) was adamant that my pain could not be related to the tumor. It is next to CN7 which controls muscle movement, not CN5 which senses pain. So, I opted for "watch and wait" for another year, knowing I will likely lose all my hearing on that side, which is ok with me considering all the risks of a craniotomy. After jumping on here again though, I'm questioning it again, and have seen some people getting relief from their headaches post-surgery. I guess I'm asking, anyone with a tiny AN have constant facial/cheekbone pain. It's not stabbing or tingling, just dull and constant. Doctor thinks it's clenching my jaw or grinding my teeth, a possibility, but one I'm not convinced of.
