Lantus - Like it or not?

Hi Everyone - I was asked to share my sons experience with Lantus. Niklas is 4 1/2 and has been diabetic for 3 years. He is a real trouper and takes the novolog shots and testing his blood sugar in stride. He really doesn't mind it and even educates his preschool friends about it! However when it comes to giving him Lantus, I wish I could do without it! He hates it! He fights me most of the time unless I get him when he is still kind of sleeping (he takes it first thing in the morning). We have the smallest needle for the syringe possible (I have asked for smaller but they don't make them any smaller!) When I ask him about it he says it hurts - the needle hurts going in and the Lantus stings once it is in. Is this common? I have heard mixed reviews from many people with diabetes. All I know is I can't wait for the pump (if he so chooses to use one). Then we don't have to do the Lantus any more! (well except when the pump breaks...)

Kristen