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Consumer Review: This May Seem Ironic, But I Actually Work At GNC And There Is A Very High Possibility That Creatine Monohydrate/Citrate Does Have Potential Side Effects.


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Response #31

I just returned home from my son's physical. I had asked that the doctor give us some advice on creatine since my son feels very strongly about taking it.

His response was "Uh ... I don't know, I have to check on it. I KNOW there are problems with it but I'm not SURE about any of it." So I went home to check on it myself and started here. After reading this I'm only sure about one thing - those who are saying it is NOT good outnumber those who say it IS good, and those who are saying it is good seem to be MISSING THE POINT! Short term use is not the goal if the results are positive (weight gain, increased performance) and LONG TERM use has not been commented on, to any degree, positively. My son is a healthy, growing boy at this point. What he stands to gain (a couple of pounds to his weight and lifting limit) does not even begin to compare with what he stands to loose (THE ABILITY TO BE A HEALTHY, GROWING BOY). This HAS been repeated in several responses! There are too many other medications NECESSARY on a daily bases (antibiotics, aspirin, allergy & cold medications etc., and regular illnesses & conditions) to have to add an unknown substance and possible interactive side effects to the mix on a daily basis. He has already complained several times of muscle cramping and being terribly thirsty - I never thought/would have thought it could have been related.

I'm a conscientious mother with my son's best interest at heart and I asked a doctor who had no idea - can you imagine what symptoms YOU might miss if you WANT to take it? Especially if you're an insecure person dealing with identity issues and hoping this is the answer!


Response #1 To Response #31

The reason your son had cramping and was terribly thirsty is nothing to be afraid about . When you're on creatine your muscles absorb a lot of water. This causes a loss of minerals which will cause the cramping and thirst.

To fix these side effects I have found I just have to drink a lot more water. I drink 10 glasses of water a day. I have not seen any other side effect and there is no scientific proof that there is any other side effects yet either. Seems to me that people bad mouth pretty much all sports supplements before they know much about them.


Response #32

There are so many different body types and health conditions to keep track of. It's possible that some people could have a major reaction and others have none. This is a new drug and without more in-depth studies it's going to be a mystery for a while. The symptoms described sounds like other complications i know of. Without seeing a doctor, no one can say if there was a complication before or after taking the drug. Maybe it just enhanced the problem.

Acetaminophen is the same way. You could take Acetaminophen daily and there will be no problem; until one night you want just a couple drinks. Then you are in the hospital. The combination, even just a little, will kill the liver.

If getting fit without the aid of drugs is not an option, then that is the risk YOU CHOOSE to take.


Response #33

I am a 19 year old male, and have been working out for the last 2 months at 6 days a week. I take nothing but amino acid pills and have seen great results already. I have been thinking about taking creatine and actually already bought it, but I think I am going to wait. Yes... I do have friends who have had tremendous results using creatine and have yet to run across anyone to have any major side effects. But I think the people that do use it are just impatient, and want quick results. If you are looking to get a great body just take your time, get on a good diet and work out: (consult someone whom is A certified at your local gym, and they can help)... But I would like to thank everyone for their input and for sharing their story.


Response #34

Jesus Christ! You people don't have your heads on straight. Can you people be normal and do it naturally with hard work and determination? I know several of my friends have... I would think you people would get more satisfaction out of doing it naturally and the RIGHT way. But hey, if you want to put yourself and others in a position of risk, go ahead and do it.


Response #35

Hi, I'm a 21 year old boy. I've been working for the last 3 years intermittently "drug-free". Only recently, when college started 3-4 months back, I began taking supplements. First with a cycle of Ripped Fuel (to rid all the baby fat). After I finished the bottle, I started on Whey from Designer Protein. Am on my 2nd tub now, and was thinking of Creatine.

Checked it out on the net, and NEVER KNEW that there were so much controversy about it! One reason must be bombardment of the positive gains of Creatine and ignorant word-of-mouth by well-meaning friends. (But not a word about the liver and kidneys!) After reading all your comments, I think I'd rather not risk it. I was evaluating between what I want ( which is to look good - vanity), and what's really good in the long term. My conclusion? NO CREATINE FOR ME. I'll just stick with my Protein shakes and pure diligence. I not going to mug my way through' college for my degree but get incapacitated by my desire of fuller pecs and thicker arms. I've got my wonderful life ahead of me! Thank you all for your contributions, sure helped me avoid a costly & possibly painful mistake!


Response #36

Look! It's this simple. (1) Consult a doctor. (2) Drink at least a gallon of water a day. That is so you flush out your body constantly. I drink around two gallons. (3) Follow directions. (4) Many different people are allergic to different things. (5) I've been taking creatine monohydrate for 3 years. The longest phase was 4 months. Then after that I would take 2 weeks off. Then 2 months on. I started before it was popular and have experienced great gains, but I also train like a psycho. Different strokes for different folks.

J.D. "Steel" H.


Response #37

Could be that there are some genuine reasons to be concerned about potential side effects of Creatine. However, explain something to me: With the thousands of people taking the product, and the likelihood that many of them are falling prey to the "more is better" assumptions, how come we're not hearing of a virtual epidemic of liver and kidney failures? Also, Creatine has been in use (on a limited basis) for much longer than since 1992. Also, research has been done, and so far the consensus among those researchers is that there is no evidence of serious side effects. Can the research be wrong, or even missing something? Yes, of course. Such oversights occur all the time in medical and scientific research. But as of now, there still remains the mystery of why the incidences of serious medical problems among Creatine users aren't much higher than they are.


Response #38

I happened to hit this site because my teenage son is an avid sports player. His main sports are hockey and baseball, not weight training per se. The state in which we live has an athletic commission that oversees interscholastic competition and has gone on record advising against creatine's use and that no coach should incorporate it in training regimens. My son has friends who are strength training using creatine with good results, so far he is doing fine without it. But again he is working on skills not strength at this point.

Many responses mention talking with a doctor...well, I am an M.D. and I have a lot of questions about creatine that I have not found "safe" answers for. My pharmaceuticals undergo a lot of scrutiny before use, granted there have been a number of "lemon" drugs in the past. One thing for certain, they do not stay on the market long because of legal or regulatory pressures. Over the counter supplements do not come under the same scrutiny but believe me, if an over the counter substance was a much a panacea as some make creatine to be, there would be more money to be made by pharmaceutical firms if doctors were to prescribe it.

Regardless, the use of supplements for enhancement of body proportions or weightlifting, as creatine seems to be, is a for a transient effect. Most of our body proportions have been genetically programmed. No doubt an enhancement can be gained, but without sustained training, one would resort to one's genetically programmed form. Creatine does increase creatinine levels in the blood stream, and kidneys will filter it out gradually...if kidneys are normal. People with high blood pressure or any type of diabetes should not use creatine, nor should folks with any type of kidney disease.

No,I cannot tell you that creatine causes renal failure, but by standard blood tests, taking creatine can fool me into thinking a person has renal failure. The fluid retention someone reported as enhancing tendon dynamics is an intriguing thought but sustained exercise will cause fluid retention in muscles due to the reparative inflammation taking place in the myofibrils. Structural fatigue is a consequence of overuse if fluid retention is due to myofibril injury and not the desired "enhanced muscle size".

I cannot help but wonder if the great aura of endurance is in fact a result of exercise-induced endorphin euphoria that may be overriding pain signals of microscopic injury to muscles. Sorry I cannot give a definite answer about the good or the bad about creatine. One thing for certain, the human animal has a biochemical balance that has taken eons to be refined and is wonderfully adaptive. If creatine is the answer, forces of nature would have put it to a more concentrated use long before us mere mortals thought of it. Should I come across some legitimate research that answers MY questions about safe/unsafe use, I will pass it along here. Words of encouragement, exercise is a good thing, but good health is even better.

Regards
JMT, M.D.


Response #39

Creatine has been used for much longer than many think. It has been taken as a supplement since the 60's (but only by a handful of athletes) and no significant side-effects have been discovered. I mean come on, how many years does it take to become "long term"?? I'd say 30-40 years is plenty.

Those who have had liver or kidney failure probably already had a condition and the use of creatine, whether overloading or not, may have increased these problems. It's also very important to drink a lot of water so the kidneys can flush the wastes out of your body a lot easier. As for heart problems...C'mon, that's a bunch of bull. That's probably because a sufficient amount of water was not consumed and that would throw off the body's electrolyte balance which can happen from just participating in any sport and not having a good diet. Creatine is a safe product as long as it is used correctly and the subject drinks PLENTY of water.

Willy B.


Response #40

I would like to start by saying to the people that responded in a rude, and immature way, that we are all trying to figure this stuff out. No one has all of the answers and it is too early to tell what exactly the long term effects from Creatine Monohydrate are. What we have to do now is just what we are doing, reading and communicating so that we can share our experiences with one another. That is the only way to really know what Creatine Monohydrate can do over a long period of time and depending on the amounts taken.

Now, it is obvious that if you take more than what is recommended then there is more risk for those individuals. I feel that the people that are in the field of ambulance rescue teams as well as doctors, nurses and so on, state that they have noticed a change in the amount of kidney complications relating to Creatine Monohydrate, they should be a good source of information that you can use to base some of your opinion on. I also want to say to the people that are all gung ho on Creatine Monohydrate, and do not want to even entertain the thought of it being a possible health hazard: Do not let your desire to stay in shape easier, unless you show health problems, make you give up your common sense and decency to give others the opportunity of knowing the possible risks of Creatine Monohydrate. Please remember to treat others as you would want to be treated. Remember Columbine High. People are starting to hit back. Lets put our energy toward constructive outlets and do not make the innocent suffer. Thank you for listening.

Lee W.


Response #41

When one looks at the toxicology of an item, one looks on its possible effects on the weaker members of society. As has been pointed out by numerous individuals here, creatine loads the body's own filtration system, which means that it adds additional stress. While many of you are correct that it hasn't impacted you in an obvious manner, it might be causing premature wearing out of your liver and kidneys based on the information, though only from testimonials of liver and kidney specialists. The result of this wear may not be evident until much later in life decades after you stopped using the product (and of course forgotten about it). When you're 55, 60 or 70 and you have liver or kidney failure because you've worn out your organs, that's a risk most of you are not knowingly willing to take.

Most of you drink bottled water when you work out because of the misplaced fear concerning Chlorine in water supplies (caused by Trihalomethanes) which studies show in the worse possible scenario might cause 100 additional cancers per 10 million population. I doubt Creatine could even come close to the same level of safety if 10 million people used it.

So why drink bottled water if you're going to use creatine?

I'm willing to wait until there's better evidence by third party scientists.

PS--Most of you don't realize this but studies show that most bottled water has bacteria and many other nasties in them. Bottled water is only required to be tested on an annual basis (unlike water authorities which have to test daily and under new EPA rules must publish their results) and 25% of all bottled water came from the tap, was filtered, disinfected in some cases (using ozone, which is not as safe as you think) for bottling.


Response #42

I would just like to say that I have a friend who goes nuts on the stuff. He takes creatine, phosphagen, betagen and myoplex in high doses. If anyone's kidneys should be failing it would be his. And as of yet he's making gains still in his work outs and is as healthy as a horse.


Response #43

Ok, I will admit that creatine does work like a charm, but its side-effects make it not worthwhile. I went from benching 165 to 200lbs in a little over a month, however, my skin broke out in more than once place. And this is odd because I have had clear skin all of my life and about a week after I started using creatine I started breaking out and I didn't realize what it was from until about a week ago. So, bottom line, it does break you out.


Response #44

I'm a 17 year old student from Shallowater High. I Have been taking creatine for over a year, in 2-3 month periods. I have had substantial muscle growth and love the effects. I weigh a mere 126 pounds but I can bench 180 and squat 300. I drink large amounts of water in every workout, if I don't consume large amounts of water I cramp horribly. Other than that I have had no side effects. I'm sorry for those of you who have had bad results and side effects,but I believe it is all in the way supplements are applied and anatomy and physiology Of the persons who are taking it. It's a wild card and your always taking a risk win taking a quick fix so use your judgment and be smart.


Response #45

I would like to put in my two cents about creatine. I am 17 years old, and have been working out for nearly three years now. Up until a year ago, I worked out 5 days a week using no supplements. Last summer I began using Weight Gain 900. I saw moderate gains in my performance and was very pleased. Then, about two week ago I started using Creatine Monohydrate. Since then, I am just starting to see small gains. After reading this page, I have decided to discontinue use of creatine. I feel that the risk of not knowing is enough to make me stop. I guess the bottom line is health. I know I can stay healthy just by working out properly and eating good foods. As for supplements, I would be much more inclined to take weight gainer before ever touching creatine again.


Response #46

Who cares ? We are all different and creatine will effect us all differently. Plus if it works for you, then live in the moment...we are all going to die...so have fun with your body and life.


Response #47

It is true that using creatine may cause an initial breakout of pimples. After the body adjusts to the new level of creatine, the skin will return top its natural state. As for other side effects, It depends purely on the specific person. If you begin having kidney or liver problems, then stop taking creatine. For others such as myself, creatine has done wonders for my physique. When I first began taking creatine monohydrate, I had 13-inch biceps and weighed 170 pounds. After the first six months, I gained 15 pounds of muscle and gained 3 inches on my biceps. The bottom line: If you take it and have major side-effects, stop using it. Otherwise, I see no problem in using creatine.


Response #48

I do not know if creatine is physically harmless or not to the body, but from a PSYCHOLOGICAL point of view I question its real effectiveness, how may you have the positive feeling of accomplishment if every time u train and progress in weight size or total body size u always wonder if its because of the work u did or because of a potential dangerous "natural product". I tried some years ago Dibencozide, Smilax and even testosterone and YES I got better results and much stronger but I wasn't happier because of this and I think I was feeling even a bit guilty of having something witch I hadn't really worked for (body size ) I didn't have that real feeling of accomplishment.

So my point is: what ever the results about creatine I still question the psychological utilities of these products because I feel that the real happiness in life has a lot to do with the sense of accomplishment and not the PURE BRUT RESULTS . So for u guys that are not necessarily wanting to go for the WWF or Mr. Universe contests and just want to look good on the beach with cut abs etc., do what u got to do but more importantly BE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU DO AND LIVE FOR!


Response #49

Hi, I'm an 18 year old college freshman who was tired of being a skinny weakling. My younger brother, in the span of about a year and a half of working out, eating correctly and taking a variety of supplements at different time got absolutely huge. I decided when I went to school that I was didn't want to become one of the kids that goes to college and gets fat and out of shape. I talked to my brother who has done many projects and research on sports supplements how I should start.

About 2 months ago I started working out and taking Creatine Monohydrate. In those 2 months I have also began eating healthy and drinking plenty of water. The gains in just 2 months has been amazing. I have not only increased my strength, but my body has formed unbelievably. Also about 2 weeks ago I started to take Whey protein which I am yet to see results(at least I can't tell). Anyway, the point of my story is that when I finish this bottle in a couple weeks it will be my time to lay off for 2 weeks. I had planned to take Creatine Phosphogen.

However, after reading this "frightening" sided effects I am very iffy on what to do. I have not had any effects thus far. I drink enough water and everything. But one thing that is weird is that my side of my stomach, just above my hip twitches sometimes..I wonder if this is telling me something So, basically I am saying to everyone. Be careful with this stuff. It's not a miracle supplement. But I hope that taking it correctly is the key to not having side effects. I guess I'll keep my fingers crossed and until I see anything bad I'm gonna continue to workout and use the stuff. But to everyone....BE CAREFUL

Thanks,
Mitch


Response #50

I would just like to say that I have taken creatine before and it never gave me any problems. I was also just 15 of 16 years old, so that may have something to do with it. Who knows? What I do know is that I seen a little bit of improvement when I took it, but that doesn't mean that it works for everyone. From experience, I think it all has something to do with how, when, and how much you take. It may also have something to do with how you eat. Whatever the case is, I am not going to take it anymore because everyone knows that there is no long term studies to show if it has long term effects on the body. I believe that not taking it is the smart thing to do!!


Response #51

Alright, enough of all this bickering. Everybody is arguing about something nobody can back up. It's like capital punishment. No one can say if it is good or bad. Some states use it, others don't. Here is what it comes down to: If you want to use it, go ahead. If you feel it is too much of a risk, then don't use it. That is what it comes down to. Some people have had some very awful things happen to them because of their creatine use. Many people, however, have not. So, until the FDA gives their final verdict on the substance, Use your heads, read the label and decide for yourself.

Ben


Response #52

I think there is little mystery surrounding the abundance of negative creatine stories here. The majority, people with great results from creatine, don't search out a place to tell their stories. People with bad experiences, although not unjustified, feverishly search out a forum to tell their story. I found this page by web search "creatine dangers" not under any other "creatine... " search.


Response #53

I was considering whether or not to take Creatine. While everyone seems to have valid opinions on the use of Creatine, I have to agree that there is not enough research or information yet available. I will not use it until something Definitive comes out. I don' t want to be a guinea pig for EAS, or anyone else.


Response #54

I am a football player and I have herd many stories about how it can help you but my dad works for the FDA and says that you should not take it because there have been no long term studies on it.


Response #55

Ooook....that was quite a read, just to add one more thought:

What if the creatine these people that have side effects is a crappy one? you people do realize that creatine has to be at least 99.7% pure for you to be sure you're not getting any other nasties along with it.

These people that got side effect probably buy the cheapest creatines that they can find at their supermarkets!!! and they expect the stuff to work???

My opinion is, use EAS, ProLab, or AST Creatine, don't trust any other ones!!!!! (I admit that I'm a big fan of EAS and Bill Phillips, but I know the other brands I mentioned are very good quality as well...)


Response #56

Hey everyone, I have read all the discussions on this page. First and foremost, I would like to say everyone is different Therefore, the way creatine effects everyone is different. But it is a proven fact that creatine does work and it minimizes muscle fatigue for more intense workouts no matter who you are. However, the side effects vary from person to person, but short term use should not be a problem. Like every drug/vitamin/supplement, if used to long and abused there may be side effects.


Response #57

Wow, am I glad I stumbled upon this page. I've been taking Creatine Monohydrate for a couple of years now; here's my experiences and thoughts:

I have a noticeable increase in power, strength and controlled weight gain (since I cardiovascular train 3X/week, I'm able to keep the body fat off). My intensity is unreal; I can go "animal" on the weights. On the downside, I've had diarrhea, pimples (the guy who said that this would correct itself is wrong), and lower leg cramping. I'll allow that the cramping might be from dehydration; I only get it on the days when I run or climb and sweat (it seems I can never get enough to drink). I've noticed pain in my kidney areas and until I read the articles here I figured it was lower back strain (stretching hasn't helped a bit).

Given the individuality of genetics and physiology, one might be more predisposed to all of the side effects (including the dangerous ones) than another person. Another point is that the dosage needs to be regulated by body weight and type. I haven't heard of anyone who can calculate the proper amount to take - I've read that the 200-250 pounder should probably take 8-10 grams or so per day (maintenance dosage), while a 100 pounder is better off with 3 grams or so per day.

Here's MY conclusions:

1. Since I don't know if I'm predisposed to the dangerous side-effects, I'm no longer willing to take the chance. If I'm having pains in the kidney areas, I'll take it as a red flag.

2. Because no one has come up with a precise dosage based on body weight/type, I'm not willing to experiment by guessing.

3. Until/if there is conclusive scientific evidence about the safety of Creatine, the rest of mine is going in the can!


Response #58

I am a Registered Nurse who just started to lift again after a 5 years spell. I have put on a lot of muscle over the past 6 months - back up to my limits that I did when I was 5 years younger (I am now 33yrs old). I have the bulk and the definition back that I once had and lost. Hard work did it and good form - work the negative!

I do not know a lot about Creatine - but I do know this - you do not want the levels of creatinine to build up in your system, or your kidneys will pay the price. I work in an ICU and see the effects of kidney failure all too often. Not a good life to lead let me tell you.

My brother is a doctor and he recommended to our nephew who started to use creatine to drink plenty of water while taking it and he should be fine - although he too said he did not know much about it himself.

So be careful with the stuff. Drink plenty of water. And lift hard, ensure good form, work the negative - and most importantly - work the muscle and not the ego!

Darren Long, BA., RN


Response #59

A lot of you folks out there are really misinformed. First of all, 95%, yes 95%, of ALL creatine found in our bodies is stored in our muscles. Not in our liver and kidneys. If your doctor is ill informed he will attribute raised liver values and increased amounts of creatinINE to renal/liver damage. But, the byproduct of creatine metabolism is increased creatinine levels. So as someone had posted earlier, a false positive can occur.

Another point is that almost all of gastrointestinal problems that occur are do to the incomplete dissolution of creatine. All that creatine that settles to the bottom of your cup is not bonded with water. Therefore, people argue that it is not absorbed by your body. So it causes flatulence, bloatedness, etc. Try this; mix your creatine with a warm drink (tea, or even warm water), this will cause the creatine to completely dissolve. This method works wonders. As for creatine causing jaundice, c'mon.


Response #60

It took me a long time to read most of these responses and I respect all your statements. So all I'm gonna say is that creatine is the only supplement I've taken that really works for me. I drink lots of water everyday and lift everyday and only take the recommended dosage. So far I'm still alive and well. Hey, if I die tomorrow at least I know I tried to get my dream body instead of wishing for it. "If I don't try I'm gonna die anyway, I'm gonna live on but I'll be gone any day."

Oh, nice website...I showed this to all my workout frenz.

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