If you "load" your system (which most will suggest that you do) it will ABSOLUTELY cause water retention. All creatine products do. Loading your system (for example) would be taking 5g twice a day and then lowering to once a day after after 2-3 days when your system is loaded--that is you have creatine supplies built up. I haven't taken it any other way. It does work, particularly for muscle mass increase, which may consequently cause increased calorie burn and fat loss.

  I am not a doctor or scientist, but I think it does help you hold water. It helps me with muscle mass and works great on soar muscles. When I ran out and did not take it , I lost muscle mass. I recommend that you search for it on the internet and read some of the studies.

  It didn't do anything for me. Took it for 2 months, didn't gain a pound.

  Yes, I've noticed a slight increase in weight, with this product.

  Yes, it does. In fact if you are planning to use Creatin you need to drink a ton of water. Creatin is a naturally occurring substance in the body. By taking supplements you will both add in increasing stamina during your workout and increasing muscle mass. One of the "side effects" is that it causes your body to retain water. People use this to build mass so the extra water is actually good for your muscles. I usually take it around 30-45 minutes before I work out.
But I also take sometimes a few months off from it.

  It doesn't thoroughly dissolve in water. Mixing it with water just makes it easier to consume. It's best to still have the liquid still swirling while you drink, otherwise the creatine will settle at the bottom.

  I mix with milk or I put it in with my protein/weight gainer and blend with milk, ice and a banana. If you mix with just water or milk be sure to mix with a hand mixer. Just stirring it doesn't work well at all.

  I use a latte blender it works pretty good also I mix a little.warm water first then after blending add more cold.water or other liquid

  Get yourself a shaker with the wire mixer in the shaker. Before you take a drink you shake it up and then drink.

  Try using with water in a water bottle or shaker. Just shake it up and you'll find that it dissolves nicely.

  Add to protein powder shake

  Definitely take it before a workout. It's designed to give you a little extra power during a workout.

  I take this before runs, and once during the run, if it is more than about 10 miles.

  Around 30-60 minutes before a workout

  This is not recommended to be mixed into hot beverages. It can be mixed into an iced coffee.

  I believe so it doesn’t clump and mixes very easy

  use your best judgement

  use best judgement

  I am 90% done with my first container, and have not located a scoop.

  Yes it is

  I am done with the first container, and was not able to locate a scoop.

  No, tablespoon is sufficient

  I'm no physian. I would strongly recommend that you seek a physician' s input. My gut feeling is that you will be told not to take it.

  Definitely not.