You are your own science experiment

That doesn't mean that you should start stealing prescription meds and seeing what works.  It does mean that you should start changing the way you think about life and what you do.  We're creatures of habit, obviously, and I think we forget why we do, think, or eat some things because we've been doing them for our entire life - at least adult life.  At least in my case, and I've said that I'm a stubborn individual, I was really not willing to go with "common thought," you know, eat this or that, don't do that, get at least 8 hours of sleep.

Guess what - you're in a different boat now.  Like it or not, your body reacts differently now to certain things than it used to, or... maybe it handles things in the same way and you just can't cover for it anymore.  I'll give you an example:  I used to drink 2 pots of coffee a day - when I was in grad school, I would get up at 3:30am and start a pot, then have another when I got to work.  I was constantly interpreting the crash as fatigue that I could solve with more caffeine.  I didn't sleep very well but didn't even think about it because I was getting up early to study and working full time as well.  One of the many times the doctors missed the diagnosis was during a relapse (I now know that's what was happening) when I went in because my speech was so slurred.  They gave me an ECG and everything was fine.  They told me it was stress and fatigue... understandable under the circumstances.

Once diagnosed, my world was rocked and I started trying all sorts of things, including knocking out the caffeine.  Guess what - it worked.  I like coffee - coffee is good, smells good, and it is comforting.  I drink decaf now - I have more energy during the day and sleep better than I did before my last relapse and diagnosis.  Another thing I decided to try was cutting out simple starches between meals - this includes soda (caffeine AND high fructose corn syrup: the simplest of starches).  If I get the munchies, I have some almonds or a part of a Cliff - Kid Z bar (organic and pretty complete).  all of these things made a world of difference for me - but you have to figure out what works for your body, hence, "the experiment." 

The point is this - Here is your chance to reinvent your life.  Live a healthy lifestyle and you may be surprised at the results.  Physically, I don't feel anywhere near what I did before my last relapse ("the big one"), but mentally, I'd have to say that I'm better than I have been in years.  Again - you've got nothing to lose so you may as well start trying stuff.  It takes discipline, I'll give you that.  Prior to your diagnosis you didn't have to do things if they were "hard."  Now, like it or not, the stakes are higher so giving in shouldn't even be an option.  Are you really going to not try something that has a potential to impact the rest of your life that much because it's HARD?  Grow up - or lay down and feel sorry for yourself for the rest of your life -