ABANDONED. scifi book with a mentally disabled protagonist and space vampires

[Michael]

So, for a bunch of years I've had this recollection of a story I'd once read about a mentally handicapped and toothless person living(semi homeless) on a space station with his pet cat, he is in love with a prostitute, and his best friend is a doctor who regularly gives him "vitamins". something about mysterious disappearances as well. as the story progresses, the protagonist gets more and more lucid finally visiting his doctor friend to find him missing(kidnapped by vampires), and a note with a box waiting for him. the note explains that the station is actually a spaceship and our main character is actually the captain! in the box is one final dose of "vitamins" (which have been repealing the effects of his intentionally induced mental handicap) and a set of titanium dentures(that sink into his gums to attach to his jaw). he finds the space vampires that have been drinking his crew(through straws not sharp teeth) and kills at least one with HIS new titanium teeth, and saves his prostitute lady friend in the process.

honestly after relaying my recollection to my most well read friends I'm sure I must have dreamed this all up, but I remember being really impressed at how little camp was involved in such a camp filled plot.

[Michael]

Aha! This sounds uncannily like Fritz Leiber's Ship of Shadows

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Michael, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Michael]

I hope that the original poster can confirm, but I think this almost has to be Fritz Lieber’s short story Ship of Shadows. Every detail matches.

[Kris]

No response, moving to Abandoned folder.

Michael (OP) was last active on the site in February 2016.