(I'm not questioning the legitimacy of this product or the number of studies around it.)

I've used creatine on and off over time, and every time I give it another shot, I develop a pain in my left side that isn't a constant, but more of a lingering pain when twisting or pulling. I've increased water intake (maybe not enough) when taking the product in an attempt to mitigate the issue, but with no success. I've not used creatine in the last 3 months after my third trial of stopping and starting usage again to try to eliminate other variables as a possibility. The pain subsides within a week of discontinuing.

When I broke my jaw last August, doctors were semi-concerned that my creatinine levels were high, but later attributed to the fact that I was playing baseball and was dehydrated.

I ask solely out of general curiosity: My family has a history of polycystic kidney disease and although I have not been diagnosed, or even tested for that matter, it's been a thought that I've stumbled on that maybe there is a possible connection between the two? I'm not overly concerned over it, as I would see a doctor if I were. Was just curious to see possible opinions on the matter.

Why not go get tested and not trust your personal health to an online forum?

If you continue reading, I have my reasoning. I no longer use it, and have no intentions. Intended this thread as a "food for thought" type of thing.

You were unsure whether you took enough water with creatine. You were dehydrated before. Take more water next time.

Also, how do you take your creatine and with how much fluids? In a glass, pour the scoop in your mouth, water / oj?

I take it pre-workout sorta because I always sip in between sets and easily drink 1,2 Ltr water during my workouts. I know of others who take it religiously in the morning or afternoon. When I take it down with enough water (0,4 Ltr) I feel the consumption rate of it lowers.

I had the same pain you described once when I took it on a saturday after my dinner. There was a party and I drank a lot of alcohol, not that much water. Think the alcohol dumbed the pain after a few hours, but had that runner's side-pain feeling.

You should be reevaluated by a physician for kidney function just to be sure.

I took it post-workout for my first trial, in a glass over approximately 20 minutes, and the second trial I attempted just putting it in the bottle I carry around and drinking it whenever. Pain is comparable to what you described as your experience.



I will bring it up my next visit.

If the creatine is causing the pain, I would assume either dehydration, some sort of impurity in other ingredient in the creatine, or kidney issues.

Creatine is an essential part of the energy production in your body, and is present in your body whether you supplement it or not (our bodies produce it from aminos). So, if supplementing with it is actually causing pain, that is possibly an indicator that your kidneys are overworked by trying to expel creatinine for one reason or another (creatinine is a biproduct of creatine).

Go tell your doctor and get an ultrasound done...
and yeah there can be a correlation.