Desperate for advice on optic neuritis

[Grace53a]

To add to my above post:

Note that none of the seronegative patients were positive for the NMO IgG (Anti Aquaporin-4 antibody) in the spinal fluid, while 68% of seropositive patients were. The paper can be accessed in it's entirety and explains why it's unnecessary to test the spinal fluid of seronegative patients and patients with an antibody serum titer that is less than 1:250.

Respectfully,
Grace (NMNO+ since 2005)

[lilly1964]

I had my first bout of ON 19 years ago wherein I lost center vision in my left eye. No one knew anything about anything, they couldn't see anything wrong to their "naked" eye with their tools, and there was no pain so I went on with my life, albeit with center vision loss. Forward to about four years ago and I began having lots of pain in my left eye - another ON flare? Because of the pain, I sought treatment through a neuro ophtho, who indicated MS or NMO. A lesion was seen on a 2011 brain MRI (just one lesion) that was not on a 2007 brain MRI. One neurologist said it was MS b/c of the ON and lesion; but the "better" neurologist said it is not MS b/c there is only one lesion - huh?! Any hoot, the pain continues very very badly for ON so this is only my "real" symptom, never mind the numbing in my toes, fingers, hips, etc. Just the other day I did have the NMO test done and awaiting results. I am in SO much pain it is unbearable! I already take narcs for DDD but it is not touching this eye pain; the only thing that helps it is my husband's better narc med, so I have to talk with my doc about switching to that..... And the world turns.... And I am very tired and depressed of this merry go round of BS from doctors!

My neurologist is one of the best MS specialists in the country, and I highly doubt he would have put me through the lumbar puncture if it wasn't testing for NMO. They told me that the spinal fluid is more accurate than blood, but I will probably suggest retesting my blood again just because NMO sounds so scary and, if nothing else, another negative will give me comfort in the time being. And I'm DEFINITELY not going through the lumbar puncture again. That was torture (spinal headache was debilitating. Had to get a blood patch for relief.)
Next up is plasmapheresis, though, because I've gone through too many steroid infusions this year. Wish me luck!
Has anyone else had many, many bouts of ON as their only symptom?