creatine and cramping

[Longhorn85]

I run about 4x week and lift about 3xweek. I take one teaspoon (5g) creatine monohydrate powder with coffee or with my protein shake after my morning run. Lately my calves have been cramping up pretty bad on long runs. I wonder if it has anything to do w/ the creatine. I have been lifting especially heavy lately but I stretch thouroughly before and after running. My wife thinks I don't drink enough water, that I need even more than the 10 cups I do now because of the creatine.

You guys seem pretty knowledgeable. Any tips?

 

[blood_drinker]

Yeah, creatine has been proved to cause cramps many times. Do a search.

 

[gymtime]

I experienced cramping as well with creatine. But only when I first started on it. If it's any help, it went away after a while.

I figure since you're a runner, you go through the water quicker than most. So your wife is probably right. You have to really load up on the water while on creatine, especially if you're a runner, to avoid the cramps. But again, your body should adjust to it after a while.

 

[capinatl]

Creatine cramps up my left trap - like I slept funny on the couch or something. I work with a guy who gets the same symptom - only it's his right trap - funny stuff.

 

[quigs]

Drinking more water will only help Drink up because it sure wont' make anything worse.

Also make sure you're getting enough electrolytes--potassium, sodium, etc. and if it doesn't get any better after a couple weeks just stop taking it.

 

[McBainXVII]

i got some cramps when first starting, they slowly went away, but does anyone elses joints crack all the time? im not sure if its related to the creatine or not. they dont really hurt but every joint cracks, esp ankles and shoulders

 

[The mann]

are you sure your water intake is very high???i mean VERY high!!!!!!!!!!

 

[The One]

Creatine and coffee bad idea

I remember reading that creatine and coffee is a bad combination. I cant remember the exact reason y but i know for sure this was not advised. Feel free to further research this for urself. Just drink it with something sweet guys usually recommend juice.

 

[Longhorn85]

i knew you guys were smart...

good replies, thanks. It's getting better. I think it was a combo of not enough H2O and too much coffee lately.

 

[MrOlympia2004]

coffee is a diuretic. Lay off of the coffee until you consume more water. You need to drink at least gallon of H20 a day while using creatine.