help on creatine

usmckang · May 15th, 2008, 01:07 PM

So I began to supplement creatine 2 days ago taking 5 grams a day in the morning with my orange juice. However, ever since I started I get the worst stomach aches in the first couple of hours after taking creatine. I'm also having bad cases of diarrhea as well. Is this normal? I'm not sure what creatine is suppose to taste like but mine taste like sand, literally, and it's very very thick.

I'm using creatine monohydrate from GNC by the way. Please help, if this is bad creatine I'm going to stop taking this immediately.

Thanks in advance.

ljs3000 · May 15th, 2008, 01:22 PM

You should never take creatine with orange juice as it will reduce or eliminate the effects of the creatine due to converting it to creatinine which the body can't use. Stick with a juice that contains simple sugars like grape juice (100% juice) that's what I use.

As for the stomach cramps, just make sure you are drinking lots of water as creatine will draw water into your muscles so you need to stay hydrated.

Lou S.

**gunshowbabe** · May 15th, 2008, 01:46 PM

have you changed your diet at all besides added creatine? Adding protein to your diet will sometimes cause your stomach to act up, it takes a little while for your body to get used to it if it's a big amount. I take the isopure creatine, it really doesn't taste like anything... maybe you can try adding more liquid... ???.. I'm surprised it still tastes like sand ... maybe it's the orange juice? I drink mine straight with water.. works fine for me

**theatrain** · May 15th, 2008, 02:19 PM

Most creatine comes with a warning saying DO NOT mix with acidic fruit drinks, well.. You did.

Mix it with grape juice or regular old water next time and I'm sure you'll be fine.

As for the sandy taste. Get used to it. Its not supposed to be dessert. Its grosse and doesn't mix well. The brand doesn't matter, as long as its 100% monohydrate I don't think it varies much although u prolly paid more from GNC

**wildstang** · May 15th, 2008, 04:30 PM

most important piece of advice you will need 4 creatine usage. drink plenty of extra water whenever creatine has been added into your diet. a gallon extra a day is usually adequate. dont worry about pissing extra times throughout the day either in preservation of kidney function is why.

**Hans_Rachid** · May 15th, 2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljs3000

You should never take creatine with orange juice as it will reduce or eliminate the effects of the creatine due to converting it to creatinine which the body can't use. Stick with a juice that contains simple sugars like grape juice (100% juice) that's what I use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by theatrain

Most creatine comes with a warning saying DO NOT mix with acidic fruit drinks, well.. You did.

Mix it with grape juice or regular old water next time and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Not true, this is a well known false information that has been going all over the net and was stated countless times to be erroneous. How acidic is a fruit juice compared to our stomach ? What's apparently true though is that when mixed in a liquid creatine will degrade into creatinine, but it's a process that takes hours, not seconds, so just don't let it sit there for a day before consuming it and you'll be safe.

Regarding the stomach discomfort, this can happen if you take it on an empty stomach. What I do is that I consume it with juice first thing in the morning, then follow up with my breakfast 30 minutes after and I've had no problem this way.

Here's a decent article I just found regarding creatine monohydrate. Note that they suggest solving it in boiling water for better absorption... It would be interesting to know if this really helps.

usmckang · May 16th, 2008, 06:49 AM

Maybe your right. I always take it on an empty stomach.

Anyways I bought grape juice and shall be taking my creatine with that to see if there is a difference.

Thanks everyone.

usmckang · May 17th, 2008, 04:16 PM

Ok. So I bought Grape Juice and Strawberry Kiwi juice to mix it up a little. I took both and I am still getting the same problems.

I eat after I take my creatine too and my stomach is still upset and I am sick as hell everytime I take creatine. I don't know what's wrong here..

**wildstang** · May 17th, 2008, 05:50 PM

cut your dosage in half and slowly over time increase up to what it calls for. that should help aleviate some stomach issues.

usmckang · May 17th, 2008, 09:29 PM

Will do Gunny. I'll let you know how it turns out

shootg32 · December 16th, 2008, 02:38 PM

I'd stay away from the powder creatine. It's just old school way to go. Go with a liquid creatine hits the system faster and will feel results right away. I've used ATP Advantage Creatine Serum was great stuff!! Now I'm using SCI FIT Creatine Infusion that I actually got from GNC as I usually don't use those high priced places but He sold it to me for $19.99 so couldn't say no to that!!

BUT SINCE YOU HAVE IT ALREADY, Yes indeed drink lots of filtered water and also just take the scoop and dump it into your mouth and wash it down with some water. Best way to make sure you get it all and can rarely ever go wrong with good ol' H2O!! peace