Long-term side effects of pre-workout

Kforcer

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Over the past 2-3 years I have started to have some urinary issues, which I still haven't totally figured out. Basically, a frequent need to go, difficulty or inability to go when I feel as though I have to and also intermittent pain and discomfort. I've also been taking pre-workout or work-out related energy drinks like Redline, Bang, etc. for at least 14 years and funnily enough, there seems to be some correlation between my issues and whether or not I'm taking these sorts of products. For a time, my issues seemed to have gone away when I had completely stopped taking caffeine and then, after I resumed my habits, they came back. I stopped, they went away again, and, coincidence or not, came back when I tried out Bang's caffeine-free drinks.

Correlation doesn't mean causation and I'm no doctor, but I do wonder if anyone else has had similar experience with pre-workout or work-out related energy drinks or has any knowledge about their long-term effects, if any? My doctor has no clue about what pre-workout even is, and thought that it was the same as a protein drink, so obviously he isn't going to be shedding light on this issue.
 
Pretty sure that's a common side effect from CNS stimulants. There's probably some sort of stimulant other than caffeine in the pre workout.
 
Pretty sure that's a common side effect from CNS stimulants. There's probably some sort of stimulant other than caffeine in the pre workout.
That's interesting, because when I feel the pain/discomfort, it sometimes feels like a sort of tightening or contraction but sometimes sort of like nerve pain. Thanks a lot for the response.
 
Caffeine is a known diuretic. Plus revving up your adrenals to artificially produce stress hormones with all that preworkout can't be great for you. Are you addicted to the stuff? Do you really need to it get through the day or to workout?

If you've been drinking the caffeine free stuff then maybe there's a additive in it like a coloring or an artificial sweetener that's playing games with your urinary system. Research intolerances to other non active ingredients in your energy drinks and PWO and maybe you'll come up with some other possible answers.
 
Caffeine is a known diuretic. Plus revving up your adrenals to artificially produce stress hormones with all that preworkout can't be great for you. Are you addicted to the stuff? Do you really need to it get through the day or to workout?

If you've been drinking the caffeine free stuff then maybe there's a additive in it like a coloring or an artificial sweetener that's playing games with your urinary system. Research intolerances to other non active ingredients in your energy drinks and PWO and maybe you'll come up with some other possible answers.
Well, I was allergic to artificial food coloring as a kid, allergic enough that and whatever else that I used to get allergy shots. I've actually got a number of allergies, so I was actually wondering if it was another allergic reaction.

I have since quit taking it, but I think I would say I was addicted to it to some level. I mean, I was taking the stuff before I worked out and before I rolled, basically every time. Sometimes I would go home and get pre-workout if I didn't have any on hand. I was working third shift, with mandatory overtime and sometimes only 8-hour shift breaks, so that factored into things.

I'm definitely going to look into that possibility regarding the nonactive ingredients.
 
You know the answer... stop drinking those.
Stopped drinking them quite a while ago. I'm just trying to figure out whether there is a connection between those and what I'm experiencing. Given that my doctor knows nothing about pre-workouts or probably working out in general, figured I'd ask around.

For the past year or so, I've actually drank nothing but water, save for occasional exceptions.
 
Could be kidney stones. Pretty sure I've pissed out a few myself.
 
Say thank you, that the digestion was not disturbed and the heart didn't get a heart conditions. This is a common consequence of taking energy drinks. The advice - stop it.
 
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