Hi and welcome,
"dedicated orbital protocol MRI" is nothing to be concerned about it's just a specific type of MRI sequencing technique which is basically better at getting more specific imaging of the eyes and sinuses than a typical brain MRI is.....if this is in the context of your brain MRI not showing any evidence of Optic Neuritis (ON) the technician is suggesting if your visual symptoms persist an MRI using orbital protocol maybe necessary to show the ON.
Although it's more common with the visual symptoms to have visual nerve conductor, OCT etc tests done by an ophthalmologist, who will then based on your visual specific test evidence diagnose you with exactly what visual abnormality you have, with the addition of more individualised details and treatment options for ie Optic neuritis, Nystagmus, Diplopia etc
It is 'highly' unusual for anyone to be diagnosed with a neurological condition like MS if they don't have the suggestive and or consistent abnormal MRI and other related test evidence.....Multiple Sclerosis literally means 'many scars' and those scars show up on MRI's as a specific type of demyelinating lesion in specific locations in the brain and spinal cord.
The MS Mcdonald diagnostic criteria is specific to the types of MRI evidence required to meet the criteria for an MS diagnosis and from what your saying you don't have the minimum MRI evidence to meet the MS diagnostic criteria, which leaves the door wide open for an alternative medical explanation.
I'm honestly not sure if you do actually have visual diagnostic test evidence of Optic Neuritis or not, but even IF you do, having normal MRI's leaves the door open to the potential of the ON being a stand alone dx with the lowest statistics of being diagnosed with MS.
I've never heard of needing only 1 Oband for MS, as far as i'm aware it's always been a minimum of 2+ Obands unique to the serum to be 'suggestive' of MS. There are slightly different tests and depending on the lab eg Mayo, you may require 4+ but keep in mind that Obands are not exclusive test evidence of MS, so technically LP evidence of unique 2+ Obands would usually be added to all your other suggestive/consistent diagnostic evidence that points towards MS....
I don't see any mention of you having a spinal MRI, which would make sense for you to of had based on the symptoms you've mentioned and originally being suspected of having herniated discs, you've seen a spinal specialist but don't mention if the specialist ran any tests or if you had any abnormal clinical signs to base her opinion on, did she do any tests or just sent you back to your PCP to only arrange an MRI of your brain and not one of your spine too?
Sorry i'm not quite sure if structural spinal issues eg herniated discs, trapped nerve, scoliosis etc were completely ruled out or not as a possible causation....both upper and lower bilateral symptom type and pattern wouldn't usually be suggestive or consistent with MS, MS spinal cord lesions are usually not big enough to cut across the cord which is why bilateral, symmetric, all peripheral limbs etc are the typical red flags pointing away from neurological conditions like MS and in general more suggestive of the alternative explanations as causation.
It is understandably very frustrating waiting for answers, diagnostic limbo can test the best of us but you do have the earliest appointment you could get scheduled with a neurologist next month, which isn't as long as 3-6 months we often hear about......in the mean time I would suggest you seriously consider seeing an ophthalmologist and getting the Optic Neuritis officially diagnosed and have all the specific visual testing you need before your neuro appointment. IF you haven't had a full spinal MRI, that would definitely be worth doing, you might also want to consider getting a full physio assessment which would give you a report and some evidence of neurological abnormality even if it can't diagnose the condition, it would still provide specifics and possibly very helpful evident to add to what you currently have.
Take a deep breath, try to keep open minded and not get too worried that it might be MS, it honestly might not be a neurological condition like MS, being open minded at this stage of testing is always in anyone's best interest so if you can try to not get too overly focused on the possibility of any specific condition....
Hope that helps........JJ
If it matters, my report says the oligoclonal band was ONLY in my fluid - not in my serum, too.