Creatine Problem

Talking Head

Hi, I have started taking creatine about 2 weeks ago for the first time. It has really helped me get over a slump I had been having in the gym.
Only thing is, I think I is giving me diarrhea. The reason I think it is creatine is because nothing else in my diet has changed. Could it be creatine causing this?

Im not going to the toilet all the time, but when I do it very watery.:(

justsomebloke

have you increased the amount of water you are drinking by any chance?

Talking Head

I probably drink about 3 - 4 litres a day. Id say im drinking more since starting with the creatine. I should be drinking plenty of water with it, right?

justsomebloke

diarrhea can be caused by dehydration which can actually be exacerbated by drinking excess water, as you are flushing out salts and other minerals out of your system. Truthfully I would suggest drinking things like powerade or gatorade throughout the day that will replace the minerals and see if this helps relief the symptoms also may add a bit of salt to meals.

however depending on how sever it is you may want to drop the creatine and seek professional advise

jumbopalumbo

think its an idividual thing, some supplements just rip the s***t out of some people! had a similar thing with Cell Tech back in d day, its fairly common, try some different brands maybe and follow d guidelines

Hanley

I'd agree with the above. Certain people just react differently to certain things. Creatine does have a rep for causing stomach upsets. If this extends to diarrea I do not know, but a quick google should throw up some results I'm sure.

mack1

Yes, as Hanley said a quick google shows that diarrhea is a common enough side affect of creatine for a lot of people, espeically if you load your creatine, how much are you taking?

I don't load or cycle, just stick to my regular 5g/day and I have never had any problems.

Degsy

Instead of drinking powerade you could buy Dioralyte from the chemist,its a soluble electrolyte that replenishes salts and stuff.I found creatine Mono was giving me the runs and gas but Ethyl Ester didnrt cause any problems at all.