Julie, I know this is a drag but it's important to know that although ON CAN be caused by other things, how closely it is associated with MS. If there is not enough supporting documentation for an MS dx, it is STILL reason to be watched closely. Tom has posted that he was part of the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trials (ONTT) -- if you look that up, it will explain a lot, including how steroids should be administered in treatment IF they are used.

I don't wish ON on anyone but confirming it clinically is a good way to get closer to leaving limbo land. Just having it, even without other clincial evidence, is reason to suspect MS. And for those of us who had ON along with other clinical evidence to support it, our MS dx came very quickly.