creatine and muscle cramps

[Mischievousjoe]

Just wondering if people here have any info on this - it doesn't seem to happen to everyone. I cycle on and off of creatine ( usually take 5 g a day) and when I've been rolling recently, usually near the end of practice , my legs will start to cramp after an extreme exertion like trying to bridge out of a position, etc. the calves have been the most common crampers, but also the hamstrings.

I've heard a potasium imbalance can cause this, but I eat bananas pretty consistently , and take a balanced Mega Vitamin.

So is it dehydration? Just a side effect of Creatine? Any advice on avoiding these cramps?

thanks

[glockmeister]

For one thing, if you are taking creatine, you have to drink LOTS of water if you are drinking two quarts of plkain water a day, I would try and up it to a gallon. Otherwise you may have problems with dehydration.

also kidney probs as well.

[Orion]

I found it was lack of water consumption, I have to have alot to stop myself from cramping up, also have to keep warm as well. Can't say i've had any problems with creatine but then again i've only been taking it for a short time.

[Mischievousjoe]

hmm thanks for the replies, I think it must be my water intake then, I would've said I was drinking alot of water already, but I don't exactly keep track usually, so I'll make an effort to drink more (and less coffee )

[Fosgate]

hmm thanks for the replies, I think it must be my water intake then, I would've said I was drinking alot of water already, but I don't exactly keep track usually, so I'll make an effort to drink more (and less coffee )

I drink enough such that I visit the restroom about once an hour. If I'm working out I just drink all I can stand and don't worry about it. My last cramp was in high school. I drink tea, gatorade, and water, in order of greatest to least consumption.

[Orion]

Joe, thought I would just change my statement, I am taking creatine, drinking plenty but I am also getting a few cramps. Not really painful but still not pleasent.

[Jeet Kune Do]

Have you tried stretching before excercising? first do a warm up and then stretches and then i dont think you will get cramps:)

[glockmeister]

hmm thanks for the replies, I think it must be my water intake then, I would've said I was drinking alot of water already, but I don't exactly keep track usually, so I'll make an effort to drink more (and less coffee )

Yes drinking coffee will interfere with proper hydration. I forget where I read it, but for every caffinated drink you consume, it increases the amount of water you must ingest. Caffeine tends to increase dehydration from what I understand.

[bushido_man96]

hmm thanks for the replies, I think it must be my water intake then, I would've said I was drinking alot of water already, but I don't exactly keep track usually, so I'll make an effort to drink more (and less coffee )

Yes drinking coffee will interfere with proper hydration. I forget where I read it, but for every caffinated drink you consume, it increases the amount of water you must ingest. Caffeine tends to increase dehydration from what I understand.

Yeah, coffee and sodas are diuretics; although you may go to the bathroom a lot drinking them, they are actually dehydrating you.

[baronbvp]

Drink water and more water. Creatine volumizes your muscle cells with good old dihydrogen oxide, so you need to drink more of it. There is a lot of research on the web about this. Personally, I don't think creatine is worth it.