Creatine

That's the same stuff that Mark McGwire was caught taking. I would never touch the stuff. People with colons are taking their chances with it. In fact the same question you're asking popped up here last year Has anyone used creatine with the jpouch?

Mark McGwire was taking Androstendedione, a steroid, nothing close to creatine. He may have been taking creatine also, but that's not what got him in trouble. Creatine is legal and natural creatine is in foods like lean red meat. I took creatine maybe 6 or 7 years ago (back when I had a colon). I did gain a little weight, and would get one or two more reps on exercises like bench press or squats, but no significant gains. I just quit taking it because it really didn't do much. That was about the extent of my supplement taking, besides whey protein which I still drink 1 to 2 shakes a day, have been for years. I messed around with some pre-workout drinks like NO Explode, they get you super hyper and ready to work out, but there is a crap ton of caffeine in them. All in all, I would just say research it and see if it's something your willing to try. Nothing bad is going to happen to you so don't worry about that, unless your allergic to it which I doubt you are. I have no idea the effects it can have on a person without a colon, but I don't even think that matters, but I'm not a doctor. Best thing you can do is eat, eat, eat and workout like a madman. I say try it and see. Good luck!

Seems OK to me, as long as you are sure you are getting what you think you are. I keep reading about supplements laced with anabolic steroids (since the legal supplements don't really make a big difference on your workouts and bulking). A scary thought to think folks could be doping without knowing it.
http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/Crimi...ations/ucm305494.htm

Jan

Thanks for the responses Jan and Blake. I have not tried anything yet but I am considering it. If I try creatine it will be the creatine monohydrate that you can buy on the shelf at Wal-Mart so I doubt it would have any dangerous additives. And Why do I get the feeling "Give PEace A Chance" is that honesty policy dude? Whatever, after my couple glasses of wine (that I couldn't tolerate pre-surgery) even he can't get on my nerves. Nite people

I'll give you my experience with it...yes it worked great for me as far as putting on some weight but it also cause me some kidney issues. A urine test showed that my Creatinine (a breakdown product of creatine) was extremely high in my kidneys and it was slowing my kidney functions down well below normal levels. I stopped the creatine supplement for about 2 months and got re tested and all went back to normal.

I don't think you can assume any supplement is safe based on where you buy it, since the supplement industry is largely unregulated (thanks to our passing of the neutraceuticals act). You have to look to the quality control standards of each manufacturer and decide who you trust.

I also forgot to mention the kidney function issue, but figured ou were probably OK in that department. Just know, you can lose most of your kidney funtion before you have any symptoms at all, so get tested periodically.

Jan

I used to use it before my surgery. I still have some left and was pondering whether or not to go back on it. I suppose I might as well at least use up the supply I have left. I think I will wait until well after my reversal, though, when I am really able to throw myself into working out again. For some reason I'm just nervous taking many supplements and pills with an ileostomy.

I take it every day. Causes me no issues. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and you'll be fine. Don't bother with the loading phase though, just have 5 grams a day, you'll still get up to the same results without loading. In uk I use myprotein website, they supply some good supplements.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the loading phase is BS and just causes you to take more so you buy more. I'd just go with one dose a day.