After taking creatine for almost 2 weeks, I gained about 4-5 lbs. I have always been against creatine, but I heard so many good things about it, I figured I'd give it a try. I bought a $40 jug of creatine powder. I did have some side effects while taking creatine. Here's my list:
1) Stomach cramps. While taking the recommended dosage for the first 5 days, I would get very sick. I would drink the amount it told me to, and I would feel like I was going to throw up after it.
2) Acne. Many people will tell you acne is not caused by creatine. I beg to differ. I started taking creatine and I noticed my face, back, shoulders, chest were starting to break out. I stopped taking creatine for a little bit and the acne went away. I started again and it came back even worse, so I stopped again and it went away. Coincidence? I don't think so.
3) Cost. I read a post in here about a guy saying zinc and other vitamins are more effective for muscle gain. He's correct. It costs almost 10 times less than creatine does.
4) Bathroom runs. You NEED to drink lots of water while taking creatine. This causes you to run to the bathroom more frequently, and diarrhea is very common while on creatine.
I only took creatine for about 2 weeks, and this is what I saw happening to me. Yes, it worked, but I did not like the cost it took to get that muscle. If 5-10 lbs of muscle mass in a month costs $40 and there is a high risk of long term side effects, it's not worth it...at least not to me. I made a mistake and the half a jug of creatine I have left is going in the trash. Nothing can beat hard work in the gym and weight room.
If you want to take creatine, go right ahead. Many people take it and see no side effects at all. Creatine is a new drug, it is not approved by the FDA, and some people have complained of side effects. To me, an edge over my fellow football players just isn't worth the risk. Think hard before you buy or take this stuff.
DJR
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