I'm another one who can't tell East from West, but has no problem with left and right.
Not usually a problem. Occassionally I screw up when I'm talking to someone, realise my mistake and correct it. Only time it was a real issue was flying into North Las Vegas. Contacted ATC, confidently told them I was west of the field, and told them the squawk which the previous controller had given me. Slight pause, then they asked me to confirm my position, so I did. Another pause, and they asked me to squawk ident - then very politely (well, not all that politely) informed me that actually I was east of the field, not west
Now I always mentally double-check east or west before I open my mouth. I'm sure it'll come naturally with practice, but I don't know how much practice it will take!
FFF
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