I have no bad side effects with Creatine what so ever. I do drink water with it, but then, I drink water during every workout - the entire time. So I don't notice an increase in my desire for hydration....

I also don't get stomach aches, bloated feeling, or diahreah - which some people get when taking Creatine.

Because of the lack of side effects on me, I continue to take it. *shrug*.

I realise it's hard on my Kidney's, but I also don't have Kidney trouble and I don't intend on taking Creatine for the rest of my life. I have an extremely hard time gaining wieght, even with eating tons and tons of foods and proteins and lifting and doing leg-work on a regular basis; the only thing that seems to make a noticable difference is the Creatine. It makes me put up a solid 4-6 more reps on any workout I'm doing and that's what makes me notice a difference.

Call me stupid, a hater, or a cheater; but it works for me and it's not a steroid or even terrible for you. And with no side effects (to me), no reason not to.

Just my 0.02. PS: When I get to about 195 I'll stop.

 

best time to take creatine is POST workout.

 

The bottom line is you want to have roughly 5g in your system at all times. If it's the first time taking it, you want to "load up" for aproximatly a week using something along the lines of 20g (before you work out). Then after that first week you just take about 5g a day.

Most people take it in water, it's best to take it in a non-citrus juice. I use Grape Juice and then follow it up by drinking water on the way, during, and after a workout.

 

if you cycle it, creatine is great for you