switching from opiates to long term methadone

[JcbsGrl]

Hi, I don't post much but swim has been taking lots of opiates long term. swim had unlimited easy access because he was a pharmacist. now that swim has decided its time to stop, he also found out about a terminal illness and wont/cant. but swim found a new doctor who really seems to care and suggested long term methadone treatment to get off all the other crap but still be able to fight against the pain from the illness. swim is willing to give a try but is not sure what the difference is. he knows chemically but is scared. the other opiates allowed swim to keep a quality of life that doctors say shouldn't have been possible but using could have also helped the disease progress faster. swim is thinking another year or two of using might not be that bad if he can have a few "normal" days and is wondering if anyone on longterm methadone treatment has any thoughts or advice.