headaches on creatine?

Whoever · 26-Jun-04, 08:49 PM

I just started taking creatine 3 days ago. On my first day, I took 5 grams before working out, and 5 grams after. I didn't feel great, but it was mostly because I was tired.

The next day, I planned to take 5 grams before and 5 grams after again. I wanted to load with 10 grams per day for 3 days. But I started squatting, and suddenly I get this immense headache at the back left of my head. It was like a hammer hitting it. I immediately stopped squatting. The pain got less eventually, but the headache, while not as intense as the initial pain, was still there the rest of the day.

I drink a lot of water, more than a gallon a day, definetely.

Today, its shoulder day, so I do some bb shoulder presses. Again, right when I have to strain, same intense headache on back left of my head. I didn't take creatine before the workout, I only took it after (5 grams). I rest a while after the initial pain, and continue the workout. I still have a litlte headache, although not as bad as yesterday.

Do I just have to get accustomed to the extra creatine I'm getting? I'm getting great gains (my before bb shoulder press was 85 lbs, and today, I just did 105 lbs...), but I don't know if this is healthy...

I know headaches are a common sideeffect, but this HURTS like hell :\

**cursor** · 27-Jun-04, 01:24 PM

If it "hurts like hell", then by all means make some adjustments. Are you sure that it's not nutrition, or perhaps breathing technique (or both)?

pmcgough · 27-Jun-04, 02:03 PM

just drink more water, spread it out throughout the day, and stuff like that

**Gooseneck** · 27-Jun-04, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmcgough

just drink more water, spread it out throughout the day, and stuff like that

Agreed. Your body is not used to the extra creatine floating around so drink lots of water to stay flushed. I remember not feeling so hot after beginning creatine several years ago. Your body will adjust.

GymRat18 · 29-Jun-04, 08:14 PM

I've had some "weird" headaches lately, actually a couple last week and I'm on creatine so I dunno... just when Im starting to lift..

**Doc2029** · 30-Jun-04, 06:40 AM

hmmm, when I started with creatine I don't remember any side affects such as you guys are talking about. I just made sure I had enough water though out the day.

You say you are taking 5g before you workout? why? Try just taking it post and if you must do the "load" thing and are taking it pre then have it long before your workout. See if this helps.

rrouleau · 30-Jun-04, 08:17 AM

When i was useing creatine....i never had a headaches. But i remember that you are suppose to drink alot of water so that might be your problem.