It has always appeared to me that the medical profession does little to meaningfully reduce or eliminate pain during these types of procedures. There are reasons:
1.) injecting more pain meds requires more time;
2.) after injecting pain meds the medical staff fails to wait sufficient time for the pain meds to take effect;
3.) the staff is on a schedule with more patients waiting so pain management is a time issue;
4.) the mindset that "it's always been done this way";
5.) insurance may not cover more pain meds;
6.) the medical staff (nurses, technicians, doctors, etc.) follows pain management procedures set up by the hospital or medical practice that is conducting the procedure, usually designed to save time/money;
While many medical staff mean well and care about managing pain, there are plenty of others who don't.
Too often the vibe is, "Shut up and suffer. You're just the patient."
I am metastatic pleomorphic invasive lobular carcinoma, triple negative. Mets to contralateral breast, lungs, lymphatic system and retroperitoneum. Like all of you, I have had my share of painful procedures. Even the delivery of pain reducing meds, such as lidocaine, is via a painful injection into an already tender, sore part of the body. Starting an IV is painful.
It's important to advocate for yourself. For example, when your oncologist orders a test (biopsy, MRI, etc.) ask your onc to describe the test. What anesthesia will be used? Will I be awake or not? What testing equipment is used? What pain meds are used? Ask about the gauge of the needle to deliver lidocaine or other pain med. Let your onc know that you are concerned about the pain. Ask your onc to include a note in the order that you want more pain control.
Your oncologist will not know the answers to these questions. Your onc will tell you that he/she does not control these issues, that these pain matters are up to the staff handling the procedure. But these types of questions let your onc know that you have strong and legitimate concerns. Address these issues at your procedure appointment prior to the procedure.
I join in urging the medical community to focus on the reduction of patient pain. What is needed is a complete overhaul of practice and attitude toward "pain management" during any "procedure".