Thanks. My Pain Management Specialist Wants To Switch Me From

Thanks. My pain management specialist wants to switch me from metadone due to the heart rhythm issues discovered through genetic testing. It took me years to find a medication with a long half-life for good pain coveragt. He chose to gradually get to a good clinical level of Dilaudid and eventually go to a "patch". The transistion has been pretty rocky because the dilaudid pills (8mg 5-6 times daily) wears off quite rapidly, hense the yo-yo effect. Is there a chance I can get a level and significant sustained therapy from a dilaudid patch? Does it even exist?
Loaded questions, I realise, but I've been on strong pain meds over 20 years and have been able to stay active, contribute to society and still have clear cognitive function. I just want to LIVE a happy functional life without feeling guilty for relying on strong and potentially dangerous meds. So.... I await your answer and if you have an alternate drug therapy to suggest, please include it in the reply.