"suffering from joint pain due to cancer has been a debilitating existence.  when my doctor prescribed the methadone while i was on a morphine pump getting 350mg of morphine a day just to function, i was hoping and praying for a miracle.  i found it.  at 15 - 20 mg of methadone a day i can function and in the morning i can actually hold a piece of paper without screaming.  the stigma that has also come with the methadone is not welcomed but i try to educate those that are naive rather than becoming angry or ashamed.  i will ask them to read on this medicine and after they have a different point of view and i can receive the treatment without the methadone being the focus of their attention."