That isn't always possible if you're testing in public. At home I usually inject somewhere in my belly without pinching and NO pain. Thighs can be more painful, but my doctor said that people should alternate their injection sites.

If you have any tummy fat, pinch it outwards and it should be easier to inject there.

It depends on your injection site. If the needle bends, contact the manufacturer. Most manufacturers will send you a free box of needles. Sometimes there are bad batches of needles.

Pinch the skin/fat and then inject there.

Sounds like your dosage isn't high enough that or you need regular insulin to help things along.

I take 100 to 150 units of lantus at bedtime n wake up 5 (90) or lower majority of the time.