Creatine Supplementation Leading to Muscle Cramps and Dehydration?

[Guest guest]

The following should contribute to this discussion.

Is it possible that what many are calling cramps is

really compartment syndrome? Read below.

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct USA

Creatine and Other Supplements

Pediatric Clinics of North America - Volume 54, Issue

4 (August 2007)  -  Copyright © 2007 W. B. Saunders

Company

Creatine and Other Supplements

 Lattavo, DOa, & #8727;

 Kopperud, MDb,c

D. , MD, MPH, FAAPc,d

There have been anecdotal reports of muscle cramps and

stiffness, musculotendinous injury, dehydration, and

heat illness, but the research to date indicates that

creatine does not increase the incidence of these

effects [4], [43], [51], [52], [53], [54]. The

incidence of musculoskeletal injuries and heat illness

actually may be decreased by creatine [54]; however,

there is evidence that creatine may increase muscle

compartmental pressures in the leg [58].

[4]  Tokish J.M., Kocher M.S., Hawkins R.J.: 

Ergogenic aids: a review of basic science,

performance, side effects, and status in sports.  Am J

Sports Med 32. (6): 1543-1553.2004;  Abstract

[43]  Bemben M.G., Lamont H.S.:  Creatine

supplementation and exercise performance: recent

findings.  Sports Med 35. (2): 107-125.2005;  Abstract

[51]  Shao A., Hathcock J.N.:  Risk assessment for

creatine monohydrate.  Regul Toxicol

Pharmacol 45. (3): 242-251.2006;  Abstract

[52]  Kreider R.B., Melton C., Rasmussen C.J., et al: 

Long-term creatine supplementation does not

significantly affect clinical markers of health in

athletes.  Mol Cell Biochem 244. (1–2): 95-104.2003; 

Abstract

[53]  Schilling B.K., Stone M.H., Utter A., et al: 

Creatine supplementation and health variables: a

retrospective study.  Med Sci Sports Exerc 33. (2):

183-188.2001;  Abstract

[54]  Greenwood M., Kreider R.B., Melton C., et al: 

Creatine supplementation during college football

training does not increase the incidence of cramping

or injury.  Mol Cell Biochem 244. (1–2): 83-88.2003; 

Abstract

[58]  Bizzarini E., De Angelis L.:  Is the use of oral

creatine supplementation safe?.  J Sports Med Phys

Fitness 44. (4): 411-416.2004;  Abstract

[Guest guest]

In the instance of the male shw PL, I am sure it was posterior compartment

syndrome and noted this on previous postings. Thank you for providing studies,

I know I had to look up information when he showed up with the symptoms and yes,

it was some study long ago that I found and sorted out his symptoms. Neither of

us originally thought the creatine was to blame, possibly " too much leg press " ,

calf strains! for that's how it felt to him, until the numbness in his toes

started...and the calves were slightly swollen! It was a brief mention and I've

long forgotten where, but that's what lead us to get him off the creatine and

the symptoms did not return.

The other client, the bike racer, I'm not sure it was compartment syndrome, it

didn't match up 100% there and he complained not only of calf pain but also a

sense of " tying up " in his hamstrings as well, under usage of creatine serum. A

more general complaint of " cramping " from what he told me, and he didn't

experience the problem again after ceasing his creatine usage.

Thanks

Schaefer

Denver, Colorado, USA

======================================

-------------- Original message --------------

The following should contribute to this discussion.

Is it possible that what many are calling cramps is

really compartment syndrome? Read below.

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct USA

Creatine and Other Supplements

Pediatric Clinics of North America - Volume 54, Issue

4 (August 2007) - Copyright © 2007 W. B. Saunders

Company

Creatine and Other Supplements

Lattavo, DOa, & #8727;

Kopperud, MDb,c

D. , MD, MPH, FAAPc,d

There have been anecdotal reports of muscle cramps and

stiffness, musculotendinous injury, dehydration, and

heat illness, but the research to date indicates that

creatine does not increase the incidence of these

effects [4], [43], [51], [52], [53], [54]. The

incidence of musculoskeletal injuries and heat illness

actually may be decreased by creatine [54]; however,

there is evidence that creatine may increase muscle

compartmental pressures in the leg [58].

[4] Tokish J.M., Kocher M.S., Hawkins R.J.:

Ergogenic aids: a review of basic science,

performance, side effects, and status in sports. Am J

Sports Med 32. (6): 1543-1553.2004; Abstract

[43] Bemben M.G., Lamont H.S.: Creatine

supplementation and exercise performance: recent

findings. Sports Med 35. (2): 107-125.2005; Abstract

[51] Shao A., Hathcock J.N.: Risk assessment for

creatine monohydrate. Regul Toxicol

Pharmacol 45. (3): 242-251.2006; Abstract

[52] Kreider R.B., Melton C., Rasmussen C.J., et al:

Long-term creatine supplementation does not

significantly affect clinical markers of health in

athletes. Mol Cell Biochem 244. (1–2): 95-104.2003;

Abstract

[53] Schilling B.K., Stone M.H., Utter A., et al:

Creatine supplementation and health variables: a

retrospective study. Med Sci Sports Exerc 33. (2):

183-188.2001; Abstract

[54] Greenwood M., Kreider R.B., Melton C., et al:

Creatine supplementation during college football

training does not increase the incidence of cramping

or injury. Mol Cell Biochem 244. (1–2): 83-88.2003;

Abstract

[58] Bizzarini E., De Angelis L.: Is the use of oral

creatine supplementation safe?. J Sports Med Phys

Fitness 44. (4): 411-416.2004; Abstract