CREATINE-do not use more than 12 weeks?

[phL8Tme]

Thats what it says on the tub. Any thoughts on this? Can't find any research on it.

[phL8Tme]

creatine journal (bing search) says one can deflate due to muscles losing H2O after a 12 week cycle. Heck, I've noticed this after a day without. I havn't heard of any other bad effects, has anyone else?

[poison]

I'm assuming it's a creatine '****tail', not pure creatine powder or pills. Creatine is fine for longer periods than 12 weeks; usually if it's a NO/pump pre-workout ****tail, it'll recommend laying off for a while every so often.

there's controversy over whether the initial weight gain from creatine is solely water weight, or actual muscle. Creatine does increase nitrogen retention. I'd bet it's a combination of water weight and new muscle. Either way, don't worry about it.

If you see a difference in one day off creatine, I'd bet your diet is not in order. It takes a full month to restore your creatine stores to their normal levels after supplementation. One day makes zero difference. If it's an NO/pump product, it could make a difference, but that's most likely because you didn't workout the day you didn't take the stuff. No workout = less pump, less hard.

[vpower]

Iv heard of people avoiding taking caffeine while using creatine because it might negate the performance enhancing effects of creatine. I think it really depends on the quality of the creatine though.

[searl12]

creatine journal (bing search) says one can deflate due to muscles losing H2O after a 12 week cycle. Heck, I've noticed this after a day without. I havn't heard of any other bad effects, has anyone else?

yes, it can convert to creatinine a waste product that can have detremental effects on kidney function, I would get bloodwork to see of your Kidneys are working well before using it.

most BROS here will probably disagree and say you can be on it all the time.

According to my doctor (whos big into weightlifting) its not as safe as we all believe, especially if you already have a preexisting condition.

.02

[searl12]

Iv heard of people avoiding taking caffeine while using creatine because it might negate the performance enhancing effects of creatine. I think it really depends on the quality of the creatine though.

a small amount wont affect it at all, 1-2 cups, its going over board that will negate the effects somewhat.

[poison]

yes, it can convert to creatinine a waste product that can have detremental effects on kidney function, I would get bloodwork to see of your Kidneys are working well before using it.

most BROS here will probably disagree and say you can be on it all the time.

According to my doctor (whos big into weightlifting) its not as safe as we all believe, especially if you already have a preexisting condition.

.02

My understanding is that creatinine itself is not harmful. It IS a marker for potentially harmful conditions, and ALSO a marker for someone supplementing creatine. Doctors are used to using it as a telltale sign of kidney failure, but don't take into account someone who is supplementing creatine, in which case elevated creatinine is perfectly normal, and not dangerous at all.


Ask your dr about that.

[searl12]

My understanding is that creatinine itself is not harmful. It IS a marker for potentially harmful conditions, and ALSO a marker for someone supplementing creatine. Doctors are used to using it as a telltale sign of kidney failure, but don't take into account someone who is supplementing creatine, in which case elevated creatinine is perfectly normal, and not dangerous at all.


Ask your dr about that.

interesting post , I certainly hope I wasnt sounding as if this was giving the concrete anser, just food for thought,

on my follow up I will look into this, he had me cycle off the creatine to see if my levels would return to acceptable ranges.

[Clickster]

If you have no preexisting factors and your diet and water intake is great you have nothing to worry about.

Diet always comes first.

[searl12]

If you have no preexisting factors and your diet and water intake is great you have nothing to worry about.

Diet always comes first.

that avi rocks, lovin that hemodraulix!

plus the bottle looks damn kool, plz never change it,lol

[Clickster]

that avi rocks, lovin that hemodraulix!

plus the bottle looks damn kool, plz never change it,lol

haha! Appreciate the kind words. Thank you.

[phL8Tme]

Im not a newb, been lifting for years. Just at age 40 I have to be a little cautious. I started my first stack a couple weeks ago, nothing to strong. Tweeked the diet some, I've always eaten clean, healthy food and never had to worry about extra weight. I was shocked to find that I needed to be putting in almost 3900 cals a day to reach my goal. It's been tough, but I'm seeing results already!
Personally I feel creatine is safe, been using almost daily for 10 mo. with no sides. But on days I skip it, I'm pissin alot. Guessing I'm losing H20 thats stored in muscles.

Only real reason I posted this question was because I bought a different brand and that "warning" was on the label.

Interesting info from all of you!

5-6
170lbs
17" arms
46.5" chest
28 waist.

Now PB on bench last week 315#x2 I was so stoked!
I'm trying to hit 175 lbs body weight with my first stack! 2 weeks, 4 days left! and I've put on 3.5 lbs so far!

[ax1]

i took creatine for 4 years straight.

[phL8Tme]

I should add a quick note to this. I am able to lift 5 days a week, take a three day break every other to heal up right. I also started my first PH stack about 2 weeks ago and upped my calories to about 3900 a day. It has always been rather easy to bulk up, I just finally hit a wall (thus the PH).

[searl12]

i took creatine for 4 years straight.

and thats your physique?

[Hugo Danner]

I've read that creatine should be cycled not due to harmful effetcs, but because the body's receptors - over time - become numb to it, thereby reducing or eliminating the benefits of taking creatine. On a separate note - many articles I've read (inlcuding those stating the reasons to cycle), talk about creatine as though it were a wonder drug.

[searl12]

its one phenominal supplement, noone canargue that, but tis no drug.

[poison]

I've read that creatine should be cycled not due to harmful effetcs, but because the body's receptors - over time - become numb to it, thereby reducing or eliminating the benefits of taking creatine.

There is zero truth to that.

[searl12]

I thought the longer you take it the better it works?

[poison]

Also no. It's like carbs: your muscles can only store so much, and when they're full, they're full. Your body taps in as needed, but won't benefit from excess carbs, other than having fully full stores. Not the greatest analogy, but...

It takes a month of daily supplementation to saturate creatine stores. After that you're just keeping the tank full, so to speak. The only hitch may be that there might be a benefit to taking creatine immediately pre-workout, above and beyond 'filling the tank'. But it hasn't been proven.