Brief : YES..it has a side effect of causing lack of sleep. Detailed: Hello Thank You for contacting HCM. Welcome to Health Care Magic. My name is Dr Muhammad Ahmad & i will look into your problem. I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. -Cortisone has effect of causing insomnia but that doesn t last long your normal sleep will return in a couple of days provided there are no other sleep issues or medications you are taking which have sleep disturbing side effects. -Sugar can go up with a shot of cortisone but that again for a short time not a big concern. -Its Great to know that your elbow feels good . You probably will have to get one shot of steroid after couple of weeks or after a month (dosage and frequency depends upon the severity) DO YOU HAVE TO WORRY? Steroids do have a number of side effects but you only have to worry about most of them,specially the long term ones if you are on frequent steroids like patients with asthma ,Lupus and diseases like them have to take daily or sometimes twice a day steroids these people face most of the adverse effects of steroids . For your understanding i will summarize side effects according to severity and which side effect you should be worried about.. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: problems with your vision; swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath; severe depression, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure (convulsions); bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood; pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate); low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling); or dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure). --Less serious side effects may include: sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes; acne, dry skin, thinning skin, bruising or discoloration; slow wound healing; increased sweating; headache, dizziness, spinning sensation; nausea, stomach pain, bloating; or changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist). NOTE: here again i would say they are for FREQUENT users of steroids occasional users have minimal number of them . Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. Wishing you good health