What do i do when i take the py away and she cries all night?

We're trying to take our first little girls(17 months) pacifier away. She only taken it at night time for the past few weeks and now she is doing okay going to bed without. She talks and sometimes cries a little and asks for it, but eventually she goes to bed. It's in the middle of the night when she screams bloody murder for the py. She goes to bed around 7:30-8 and usually wakes up between 2 and 4 screaming crying. I dont want to be selfish and turn off the monitor(which i dont), but at the same time how can i function at work if i've been up all night with a crying little girl who simply wants her py? My question is..how long does this usually last? Will she ever forget about her py? Am i torturing her? IS this bad for her that i took it away? Alot of people tell me she will get rid of it on her own terms...but i dont want that to be 4 or 5 years of age. Am i doing this all wrong? I am a first time mother and any positive remarks are appriciated. PLease no smart comments.