Just an update, I have been taking creating for about two weeks now, and I can already notice some bulking up. I'm up about five pounds, which I think is muscle since I've been eating well and my pants aren't any tighter.
My arms are noticable firmer, and my triceps and biceps have definition where they didn't before. I can feel it in my calves as well. I'm lifting just a bit more. Today I benched 10 pounds more than I normally do without any trouble.
So, overall, it seems to be helping. Of course, it could be psychosomatic, but I'll finish off this tub of creatine in the next month or so and then follow up again.
I haven't noticed any physical side effects from taking it at all.