Thanks for all your thoughtful replies. Yes, I too used to be the boss, and now I'm working for dummies. Hard to swallow that one, but this illness forces us to be humble. I have reduced my hours to two days a week, when there is more staff around, and shorter shifts. My job is very intense and ever-changing so being away for a period of time would mean losing track of too much. Seems the choice is hang in there or don't do it at all. Hard to know what role stress is playing, but I definitely feel more pain the evening after work days.

I wonder which is clouding my mind the most--the drugs or the PN. Can't seem to go off the drugs long enough to really know. I do recall that when I was on Neurontin for a long time then stopped taking them for a week for a sleep test, I had a heck of a time sleeping, but then once I adapted I felt really alive! Numbs the brain for sure. I'm on Lyrica now so I'm not sure if that's the same numbing effect. I just know I feel very unmotivated and anxious--and ouchy.