Hello,welcome.
I did not taper,I was kind of pushed into CT. I totally lack the self discipline anyway to taper !
If I were to go back and start this all over again (Never in a million years ) I would recommend a taper over CT.
It sounds as though you have everything to do this for, and you sound very disciplined. You have already done the hard part in recognising the need for change.
One way or another everyone here has been where you are at right now,and some of us many, many, times. The people here are gold and all the support you need is here for you.