Quick question for anyone/everyone. I tried a creatine product (I think Cell Tech) a few years back and had to stop b/c it gave the runs like you wouldn’t believe. I’ve not tried it since b/c sprinting to the bathroom every five minutes isn’t my idea of fun. Is GI distress a result of that particular brand or are my intestines a bit too sensitive for creatine? Are certain types of creatine (micronized, ect.) better at preventing such unpleasant affects?
Fishdog,
I have used creatine since it came on the market in supplement form and had no problems until recently. My wife is an MD and sees alot of kids who complain about this in her office. Her advice is along the same lines of Charles Poliquin in that you should try to take your creatine throughout the day rather than in one dose. Now, I do not mean to use a loading dose (if you believe in that) but to split up a 5 gram dose into 2.5g post exercise and another 2.5g 90 mins. post exercise…just some ideas to try, good luck…GI problems are not fun…I know.
Also dont take pre mixed creatines if you are having GI problems cause its most likely from all the other crap mixed in it.ie: alpha lapoic acid, dextrose, ribose etc.
Try just pure creatine monohydrate powder and yes space out your dosages throughout the whole day.
I went to a huge supplement conference in Canada all the top nutritionists and PHD’s from NHF were there and they all said you can get the same effects taking creatine with water as you can taking it with tons of high glycemic carbs.
PPP
I think it may just be a case of taking too much in a single dose.
As mentioned previoulsy in an article on the site, most guys can achieve results from as litle as 2 grams of creatine a day, once you have reached saturation.
I remember back in the late 90’s (when we all used to cycle creatine) that when I was in a ‘loading’ week I would often get immediate stomach cramps after taking 10 grams of creatine in a single dose, and be in the bathroom 2 or 3 minutes later.
Since I have dropped the dose down to 3 grams a day, every day, I have never had any stomach issues. I have been on creatine for over 2 years straight. I used a plain (no brand) pharmaceutical grade powder.
Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it. As I recall, I was trying the whole loading deal; that’s probably the cause of my problem. I’ll just try the straight creatine next time without the loading and other BS.
I always add 10g creatine (german) to PWO shake which is usually 3 times a week. It doesn’t seem to upset my stomach at all.
I have seen adverts for and FSI nutrition creatine that is effervescent- does anyone know about this stuff? it was expensive but i down’t want to get the runs.
I am good at spacing other supplements throughout the day so do you think it would be best to just get a reliable sorce like prolab and just space the dose?
Doesn’t cell-tech have a shit load of sugar and other additives in it? It’s also giving you 10g of creatine per serving, which could upset your stomach if taken at one time; that’s a pretty big dose. I always did the 5g doseage when I was using the basic creatine monohydrate powder, but I will probably do the 2.5g dose twice a day when I use it again, rather than 5g all at once.
I would never recommend cell-tech or any product from that company…
That being said , it seems that your problem is water retention in the intestines wich could be caused by many of creatines side effects.
First, DO NOT LOAD PHASE it’s a waste of creatine and it’s hard on kidneys/liver.
Second, dosage: 5 g in the morning (with some kind of juice)and 5 g post workout with some kinda glucose/fructose mixture.(a.e:protein shake)
Third, try adding glutamine to that cycle : 5g post-workout and 5 g before sleep
btw do not cycle creatine for more than 8 weeks