Google, please fix the stock apps

Since I updated my Nexus 4 to Android 4.3, I noticed that the battery wasn't lasting as long. Seems like it's this issue: https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=58149
I tried a few fixes listed in the thread and then I eventually gave up and installed Go SMS instead. So far it seems to have solved the battery issue, and it also comes with themes. So my messages now look like they're on an iPhone.