Songstress,
I can feel the anxiety in the words you have typed here. I know that the decisions you are trying to make are very difficult. Its is very hard to make a decision thats going to make you sick, and then to stick with it. It often takes a few tries to get everything right. Progress over perfect. Now after saying those things, this is a goal you can accomplish! Take one moment, hour, day at a time. At the start don't worry about the future, that can be overwhelming, make sure you are focused in the here and now. You are going to feel awful but remember it is because you have been treating you body that way for sometime. Be Selfish, do the things that are going to help you get through this. If that means taking a bath at 3 am to sooth your muscle then DO iT!
My advice would be to consult your doctor first! Whether you decide to taper, go c/t, or try smething like Subutex or
suboxone. If you trust your Doctor to let him help you he can certainly provide you with some relief from the withdrawals. Second, would be to block off as much time away from work and other major responsiblities as you can. If you have to tell people you have the flu, thats what it is going to feel like (but worst), then tell them that.
I can't speak to the Sub. type drugs for kicking the habit. But I did a fast taper and then cold turkey. it was no fun, and I often wondered if I should have just gone c/t from the start, but I do know that the tapering did provide me with a little relief even if it was mostly psychological. If you have the will power, to do a long slow taper I think this is one of the healthiest ways to quit, but few people can actually this properly on their own.
Hope you get things figured out. Keep us post and please Lean on us for support.