recurrent ON but not MS or Devic's?

Is there any condition that can cause recurrent optic neuritis and mimics MS?  For the last 10 years I have suffered two major optic neuritis episodes and at least 3 or 4 minor instances.  I also suffer muscle spasms and heaviness/numbness on my left side that responds ok to neurontin.  However, since most of my tests run negative for MS or Devic's my current neurologist has decided she can not help me.  My ophthalmologist only treats my eyes when something is wrong.  

My last neurologist said I only have migraines.  If I am in direct sunlight, get over heated or with certain scents I will get a bad headache that does not respond to migraine medications and will cause left eye pain and blurriness.  My left eye is the more damaged eye and is the one that gets the optic neuritis.  However that does not account for my numbness nor the ON.

With over 10 years of this and it is just getting worse and almost all my tests being negative I just don't know where to turn to next.  I have thought about going out of network, but if my tests are not conclusive and just a bit off in weird places (like increased albumin and protein in my spinal taps) what can I do?  I have so far tried to treat this disease from a neurologic standpoint and am wondering if I would be better off looking for a neuro-ophthalmologist or regular ophthalmologist.

I have even thought to go to a therapist to prove I'm not a histrionic hypochondriac and that this is real.  I am just so frustrated.

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear spinningcat,

Listen to your own inner voice and go see a neuro-ophthalmologist.  You can find one at AAO.org in the find an eye doctor section.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California