(I'm in Italy, so please don't think that this will happen in an UK hospital, at least I hope not).

I had a needle biopsy yesterday on my Lymph Nodes above collar bone. The doctor used 4 needles, 3 with a 'chopper'. It wasn't too bad, I felt pain, but it was quick and supportable. I put ice on my neck and went home.

I asked what I should do regarding work, and was told I would be fine and could go back to work the next day.

In the afternoon, I went straight to bed, but woke up with intense pain. I walked to my GP, who had his nurse take a look at my neck. I had an apple size lump, and my Doctor sent me to hospital.

At hospital, ER, I was left for three hours with an ice pack on my neck. I asked for something for the pain, but was given nothing. I was then sent for an ecoscan, which has to be the most painful thing I have ever had, and I have had many surgeries and many kidney stones. I screamed all of the way through it. 

The ER doctor changed shift, and my new ER Doctor was horrified. She put me on a drip which helped. I have been told to rest and go back if the swelling doesn't go down. 

I spoke to the doctor who did my biopsy yesterday, he said 'strange, noone has complained of pain or swelling in years, come in for an eco if you feel like it', to which I put the phone down and asked my husband to call as it seemed horrible to have to justify my immense pain.

I am just hoping that the swelling goes down. I'm taking pain killers and resting. I am going to write to the hospital to complain. And go back to my GP t'row morning to ask him to check the swelling.

Has anyone experienced a painful needle biopsy? I have a good pain threshold. I am not a moaner. I was not expecting to be in so much pain and to be so swollen.