Help! Creatine = facial bloating/swelling

Anyone here know or heard anything about Creatine provoking slight bloating or swelling of the face.  I'm 29 and new to the concept of "serious" bodybuilding.  I've always done "some" bodybuilding since 16 which has kept me thin and firm but decided 3 weeks ago to gain mass.  I began with CytoGainer with 3g of Creatine per drink, 3x, which are 9g of Creatine a day.  Six pounds later (about 10 days later) I bought six pounds of the cheaper ON Serious Mass(?), with some (less) creatine, too.  About 25 days later, I find myself with a face I don't recognize very well.  My trainer at the gym said that it could be the creatine, since it retains water.  I've done some reading and I've heard not all creatine does that.  I'm quite sure it is Creatine Monohydrate in my protein/calorie drinks.

It's very possible that genetically I'm proned to gaining weight on the face.  I've rather enjoyed a life of being thin and toned since puberty, with what I would consider a "normal" and even "thin" face.  But I do remember that as a kid I was a bit chubby and I carried a lot of the fat on the face.  But now I want to be muscular and put on muscle mass (ya baby!!!).  I've put 11 lbs in 3 weeks and happy as far as my body goes, but I'm afraid that gaining weight on my face (cheek area, not below the chin) will be the price.  The first week I began noticing prominent lines where the mustache area meets the cheeks.  Two weeks later my cheeks are bigger and the line even more prominent!!!  Simple aging?  Genetic form of weight gain?  Water retention?  All three?

Basically, I'm trying to determine if my gain weight of the face is attributed to my general gain of 11 lbs in 3 weeks or if creatine may have lead to water retention there like my trainer suggested, or both!

Help...anyone?  Thank you.

Dollars do doughnuts your face gets chubbier when u  pack on weight.It may just be your genetics.

AGE 23
Height: 5'9"

Arms 14 5/8"




"TRAIN LIKE AN ANIMAL"

I doubt it is the creatine
 
Does Creatine make you retain water?
No. Creatine draws water from the body to do its work. There is a difference between cell volumization and water retention. Cell volumization leads to more water inside the cells, making the muscle bigger and firmer. Water retention, the process that makes the muscles look smooth, happens outside the muscle cells.  www.everything-creatine.com
 
I and many other men gain weight in thier stomach and face first thing when adding pounds, I think it has to do w/ you gainin 11lbs in 3 weeks, than the creatine

There is a difference between cell volumization and water retention.

Exactly.  And the #1 thing most females will say about creatine if they know what it is..

"I don't want to use that because it will make me retain water."

Very different concepts.

If your face is filling out.. it could just be you are bulking and gaining weight.  Creatine in general (cell volume) will give you around 5 lbs of water in general as your cells become saturated but that is different then bloating or swelling in general.

I've not seen any studies, peer reviews that show any negative side effects other then stomach discomfort.

Not saying you can't be different and there's some odd case but in general, blanket statment, it's not likely the creatine.

Marc C. David
Support DB! Buy your supplements at Supplements101.com

Thanks for your responses.  My "undersirable" gain in weight on my face may very well be attributed to how my body is genetically programmed to store fat, in addition to creatine's task of "volumizing" cells with water, internally.  I now understand that there is a difference between water volumes increasing intracellularly (as does creatine) and extracellularly, but to me they are both bloating...just a different place of storing the extra "retained" water.  Perhaps "true" bloating looks less attractive as it can have a "pouchy" rather than a "firm" look, but honestly I don't like that my face increases in size either by fat or water retention of any kind.  Moreover, my face IS taking on a "pouchy" look with my weight gain.  Ideally, I'd love to just have muscle without any gain in fat of any kind HAHA...but everyone is telling me that bulking up is neccessary for a thin guy like me to be able to gain muscle.

Do I really have to bulk-up first?  Can't I just take 100% Whey Protein and feed my muscles their building blocks?  I kindy liked the bulking-up look until I noticed the change in my face.  I was hoping it was the creatine so I could just stop taking it, but it's sounding like that's just my bodies way of gaining weight (??)

Desparate pretty-face guy says good-bye to good-looks :(  I'm doomed!    

well ive never heard of anybody gaining weight in the face alot from creatine, ive heard many talk about their arms having more water retention but thats it, i definetly hope its not the ON serious mass stuff. . . because i just ordered 36 pounds of it:S if anybody else is having problems with this "face bloating" too then pls post so i dont start taking this stuff too:|
 

nah, I us serious mass, its a good product, but it only has 1 gram creatine per serving, which is not enuff to be beneficial, unless your already takin creatin, from another source. 36lbs they make a bag that big, or did you buy 3 12lb bags, if so where did you purchase it?

i just ordered 3 12 lb bags for 32.49 each from www.bodybuilding.com
 
did u have good results taking this product? im currently attempting to bulk --alot-- i weigh 140 and i need to get to around 165 and according to Harris-Benedict formula i need 3658-3817 calories a day to gain mass...if i can get 4000 calories a day does anybody know how much weigh id gain a week --approx--?  and im taking creatine atm if tht makes a difference

are u sure ur not using Dbol on the side? lol

RIP Joshy.

Eat for the Body you Want. Not the Body you Have.

"May reason be My Guide.
May my Will be My Strength.
May Love be My Foundation."
-Gilbrando

yes, Ive had good results off of serious mass, but I only take 1/2 a serving daily added w/ a bannana and milk for more calories. I depend on food mostly. I've gained 20lbs since oct. 14, Ive also been takin other supplements w/ it as well, and ive been eatin alot of good food.

I have heard of bloating and cramping and it depends on which kind but I have never had that problem personally.  I use mono though, I like the old school stuff and it works wonders for me as I mainly eat fish, cottage cheese and shakes for my protein.

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

This post intrigued because I began taking creatine monohydrate about a decade ago, far before it enjoyed widespread trendy status that it does today.  I took Cr for about 2 years and made substantial gains in both strength and muscle mass.  The symptoms I experienced were the occasional runey nose, teary eyes only after immediately consuming powdered creatine (in water solution of course). 
 
Despite making some very positive gains I did notice one thing that concerned me greatly.  My body type was ecto-mesomorphic and weight gain (fat) was something virtually unknown to me at the time. In short, I too started to develop chipmunk cheeks and this perterbed me greatly.  After a while my insecurities got the better of me and rather then stay with the modest muscle gains I made using this suppliment, I chose to stop taking it for fear of ruining my beautiful face. 
 
The short of all this is that about 4 months later my face was back to normal and although I lost a lot of water, my strength was greatly diminished too.  Oh well, cant have it both ways!  I'd sooner have a normal looking face then looking like some of these fat, chunky creatine-taking gym rats anyday.  For those who say they've never seen or experienced bloating themselves, this is a what i call BULL****!
 
I can tell immediately who is taking creatine based off their face.  THe face becomes rounded and begins to look older and fatter then sherman klump from the nutty professor.  In fact a close friend of mine experienced the same effects only more dramatic...his head looked like a fricken watermellon with glasses.
 
I do miss the gains i made from being on the creatine HOWEVER i do not regret taking this suppliment as now my face looks 1000x better.  If the bloating concerns you dont worry it is not permanent...only so long as you take creatine monohydrate can you expect to look like Simon and the Chipmunks.  It's water...not fat.
 
Relax.
 
 
ps. if anyone has tried creatine ethyl ester I am curious to know if you experienced this type of water retention as it is purported that creatine with ester doesnt give you the same bloating effect.

I can tell you with the utmost certainty that the creatine monohydrate is causing your face to swell considerably.  Many people will tell you this isnt possible or that this is weigth gain.
 
THe fact is I experienced the same type of 'swelling' in the cheek region and it made me VERY self conscious.  If you dont mind having a weird looking head then stick with the creatine if not get off it asap and i guarantee that after a few months your face will retain to its normal shape/size.

ORIGINAL: Bench270

Dollars do doughnuts your face gets chubbier when u  pack on weight.It may just be your genetics.

 
Hey bozo, go eat some more donuts as obviously you're clueless.

Hey, you might be new, I can see that, but please Jon, don't be name calling other people.  That alone will get you canned from this forum, play nice.
 
-Brian

Awesome site, this one helped me out big time
http://www.better-fitness-for-you.com

jonb411
 
I am on cell tech right now, and have 0 bloating and betcha u cannot even tell i am on it either.
 
does the 411 on your name mean u use 411 to find the head that is stuck up your a$$ ?.

AGE 23
Height: 5'9"

Arms 14 5/8"




"TRAIN LIKE AN ANIMAL"

Oh forget I am even here you two...
 
"Grabs Popcorn and observes the show*

Awesome site, this one helped me out big time
http://www.better-fitness-for-you.com

the guys obviously an  idiot.

AGE 23
Height: 5'9"

Arms 14 5/8"




"TRAIN LIKE AN ANIMAL"

Calm down guys.  Two people claimed to have swelling.  Not everyones the same.  As for myself, I felt kind of bloated when I was first on creatine, but didnt really have any noticable problems.

Squat 385, Bench 235, Deadlift 450 @ 181.

ok on some creatines it tells u that if u "experience skin rash or other allergic reactions, discontinue use and consult a physician." I think that says it all right there

ORIGINAL: jonb411

For those who say they've never seen or experienced bloating themselves, this is a what i call BULL****!

I can tell immediately who is taking creatine based off their face.

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

ORIGINAL: Bench270

the guys obviously an  idiot.

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

Creatine sux...
-Water Retention
-Stretch Marks (after you lose the water weight 2monts after)
-Soft Muscle
-Balloon Look
 
It's all about the Whey Protein/Amino Acids/Multi Vitamins & Animal Pak
-Blood Flow
-Hard Muscle
-Veins
-Pump

depends in the type of creatine and how much you use and how you respond to it.  I see many factors involved.  5lbs of water isn't really all that big of deal.  If you are a skinny Person no way creatine is going to make you look fat.  I mean if your bodyfat is low, you will look thin a little water isn't going to change the way you look.   If you look fat you must be fat can't blame creatine for over eating.

for me, i sometimes get cramps and water retention in my stomach (or so it feels like), but there has been no noticable effects, so it might be all in my head.

So is there a kind of creatine out there that will not give the "fat face" look, soft muscle, stretch marks, bloating? And noticeable weight loss a month or two after the cycle?

I have to say that I've experienced a little bit of facial swelling while on creatine even without much of a caloric increase.
 
Strange because scientific literature doesn't mention that, but many people report it.

It must be genetically. I'm almost 100% sure it is due of the creatine. Yesterday, it was the first time I went back training in 4weeks (snowboard holiday, been sick, etc) I've noticed in the time I've stoped taking the creatine my face has become more lean and attractive. Well, it was yesterday when I took creatine again since those 4 weeks. And guess what, when I woke up, my cheecks were all swolen up. Only the cheecks. It must be creatine, no doubt. -Tommy, Belgium.
(ps: sorry for the bad English)

Creatine Ethyl Ester = NO BLOATING .

Why you ask?

 Short Version: Because it absorbs into the muscle better.. So you dont have a buncha Creatine floating around !!

CEE is King over mono..

but some people react great to mono.. some dont !

kre-alkalyn is great too

Age: 17, 5'11", 213

Squat: 315
Dead: 305
Bench: 305

STACK: Leukic, ON 100% Whey, Activite