Any side effects of Creatine?!

[Techie333]

I have been taking creatine for about a month now and it is working out great. However, I was just wondering about any side effects of taking creatine. I can't seem to find any online. Anyone know of any? I mean as long as you follow the directions and drink PLENTY of water, are you good?

 

[jlbenedict]

I would cycle it also.. 8 weeks on.. a couple of weeks off.. then repeat

 

[Descartes]

The only thing I've ever hard is the potential for kidney problems if taken over the long-term. So long as you're not having any acute allergic responses to taking it I think you'd be fine. Just use as directed to achieve the results you desire and then quit, imo. I personally see no reason to continue use indefinitely unless you're trying to go into competition.

 

[Special K]

There have been no published studies demonstrating any bad effects of creatine in otherwise healthy people. You don't need to cycle it either, it's not a steroid. Just take 5g every day after your workout, and make sure to drink plenty of water like you said.

 

[DJFuji]

Technically, a "side effect" is an increase in lean muscle mass, since the primary use is for ATP regeneration.

 

[alkemyst]

too much women if done right.

However, what kind of creatine you taking?

I use xCEEd and some CEE post workout. I used to use the old mono type...

forum.bodybuilding.com is a great resource.

 

[ArchCenturion]

If you are a sprinter, it can fvck up your legs. My friend took it and he got bad leg cramps.

 

[AbAbber2k]

Drink more water. No need to cycle, though I do recommend a loading phase. Loading phase helps elevate free creatine levels quicker. Normal intake simply maintains those levels (I forget specific numbers, and I don't have my ex phys book with me as a reference).

Agree w/ alkemyst about bb.com forums. Just stay out of the teen section.

 

[CarlKillerMiller]

Do you guys have a brand you would suggest? I was thinking about taking it to supplement my current lifting routine (Once every two days, plenty of fluids and protein shakes in between).

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: AbAbber2k
Drink more water. No need to cycle, though I do recommend a loading phase. Loading phase helps elevate free creatine levels quicker. Normal intake simply maintains those levels (I forget specific numbers, and I don't have my ex phys book with me as a reference).

Agree w/ alkemyst about bb.com forums. Just stay out of the teen section.

no loading with CEE though...although it probably would not hurt.

deadlift day tomorrow I just started doing them now as pure strength is now more important than just looks to me (married and 35 )...I thought squats sucked. During deadlifts I lose track of reps and sets easily.

 

[confused1234]

the only you might want to do is drink some more water

 

[dudeman007]

You'll get screwed later on down the line

 

[SVT Cobra]

-Yes drink lots of water (1-2 gallons depending on your body stats)

-No you don't need to cycle it, it isn't a stimulant or AAS

-No there is no reported cases of kidney problems in healthy people

-It is fine to take indefinitely

-Bad cramps in runners have been shown to be caused by dehydration (which really cannot be avoided in the heat) although there is no reason to take creatine if you are a runner

-There is absolutely no need to load creatine

-If you don't know what you are talking about STFU, it is apparently obvious.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: CarlKillerMiller
Do you guys have a brand you would suggest? I was thinking about taking it to supplement my current lifting routine (Once every two days, plenty of fluids and protein shakes in between).

Do you have the basics covered, multi, fish oil, protein? Start with basic mono and see if you respond, try something like dynamatize micronized creatine. If you get bloating/and or don't respond you can go ahead and spend the extra money on ethyl-ester or gluconate.

 

[DJFuji]

Micronized Monohydrate is the de facto standard, although you might want to look into phosphate. It's the newest form and is supposed to be more effective.

If you're a SPRINTER, creatine helps a LOT. Not so much if youre a XCountry runner.

Loading has been proven to be effective although you can accomplish the same thing with regular doses...it'll just take long to get to saturation point. (iirc 4 weeks versus 1)

 

[eits]

long-term side effect = kidney failure

 

[Jadow]

The only side effects of creatine are: a waste of $20 for a bottle of sugar placebo capsules.

Just fvckin pump iron and eat some beef afterwards.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: DJFuji
Micronized Monohydrate is the de facto standard, although you might want to look into phosphate. It's the newest form and is supposed to be more effective.

If you're a SPRINTER, creatine helps a LOT. Not so much if youre a XCountry runner.

Loading has been proven to be effective although you can accomplish the same thing with regular doses...it'll just take long to get to saturation point. (iirc 4 weeks versus 1)

No it doesn't, you'd be better off taking citrulline malate or beta alanine.

And, no loading is proven to be BS, just companies trying to make more money. Your body can only absorb ~2.5gs at one time, and any more is a waste.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: eits
long-term side effect = kidney failure

No, no it does not mean that, way to keep up a stupid myth.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Jadow
The only side effects of creatine are: a waste of $20 for a bottle of sugar placebo capsules.

Just fvckin pump iron and eat some beef afterwards.

All I have to say is LOL.

 

[AbAbber2k]

Originally posted by: F22 Raptor
-There is absolutely no need to load creatine

I suppose you don't NEED to, but research does show that free creatine levels in muscle increase much quicker with a 10g dosage loading period (1 week I think). Basically if you load your body feels the effects quicker.

 

[JImmyK]

I started lifting at 18 could only bench 45 lbs.. the bar..

by age 21 I plateued and couldnt bench more then 185 (bar plus 45 plates and 25 plates) stayed there for 3 months....

I took creatine that summer and lifted 2-3 hours a day by the end of month 2 I was putting up 245 I started going up in weight so quickly my stabilizing muscles werent keeping up and even though I felt like a beast; had a 46 inch chest and 28 inch waist, tried to put up 265 and I felt a certain tweak in both my sohulders on my first set and later learned that I injured my supraspinatus tendon in my shoulder.

Long story short unless I do a year of therapy it wont be fixed, now 5 years later I still cant workout my pecs, biceps, triceps, delts, shoulders, or traps like I used to without my shoulder aching.. but life has been so busy I havent been able to workout like college days...

thats my story just had to share... be careful mate just go gradually...

cheers

 

[Whisper]

The only real side effects I've ever heard of are water retention and upset stomach.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: JImmyK
I started lifting at 18 could only bench 45 lbs.. the bar..

by age 21 I plateued and couldnt bench more then 185 (bar plus 45 plates and 25 plates) stayed there for 3 months....

I took creatine that summer and lifted 2-3 hours a day by the end of month 2 I was putting up 245 I started going up in weight so quickly my stabilizing muscles werent keeping up and even though I felt like a beast; had a 46 inch chest and 28 inch waist, tried to put up 265 and I felt a certain tweak in both my sohulders on my first set and later learned that I injured my supraspinatus tendon in my shoulder.

Long story short unless I do a year of therapy it wont be fixed, now 5 years later I still cant workout my pecs, biceps, triceps, delts, shoulders, or traps like I used to without my shoulder aching.. but life has been so busy I havent been able to workout like college days...

thats my story just had to share... be careful mate just go gradually...

cheers

That was due to improper bench form, not creatine. That happens all the time to guys who never correct their form when the weight calls for it.

That sucks to hear that though, good luck with getting better.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: AbAbber2k

Originally posted by: F22 Raptor
-There is absolutely no need to load creatine

I suppose you don't NEED to, but research does show that free creatine levels in muscle increase much quicker with a 10g dosage loading period (1 week I think). Basically if you load your body feels the effects quicker.

Show me some studies past 2003 please that indicate this.