Ive taken creatine twice in my life for months at a time. It really helped me to gain a quick eight-twelve pounds, and rapidly build my max. The first week or two i woudl take twice the recommended dosage. Then for months straight i woudl take the usual dosage and kind of taper off of it. I would encounter minimal weight loss after getting off of it and it helped much more than working out without it. I love creatine. Do lose a little endurance when u get off of it becuz u gain dependency.