I am in total shock on something. I have been in chronic pain for a long time and treating with one doctor. But I felt I needed to find somebody that dealt with pain management and would be more qualified then the doctor that I have been seeing.

So after some research and a recommendation from someone I found a doctor that came highly recommended and certainly seemed qualified. His education credentials looked great, has been in practice a long time and has been name one of the top doctors in his field.

So I called a few days ago to schedule an appointment. I was told that there was a long wait list to be seen.
The next available appointment was in TWO YEARS!!!!1 I thought you have to be kidding me. I have a medical issue NOW and if I went on the appointment list what would my condition be like in two years.

With such a wait list should this doctor, as qualified as he is, take on new patients? He appears to have more then he can handle as to patients. The doctor is 72 years old and I think will he be around in 2 more years. And what am I supposed to do in the meantime as far as treatment. What about progression of my problem? I know I will never be better so I need to control the problem NOW.

Does this make sense for the doctor to continue taking on new patients or should his policy be that he is not taking on any new patients at this time?

Am I wrong on the way I am looking at this?