Nutritional Issue Causing Daily Backaches And Headaches?

[Richard1988]

I have this very bizarre issue that has been ongoing for a few years now. I will experience daily backaches and headaches starting in the afternoon unless I take some of the drinks/food/supplements listed below. I am Male and 31 years old. It is relatively easy to control so I have not saught any professional advice on it but rather performed a vast array of experiments however have decided it's time to get some advice and attempt to determine the root cause of this. The following is a very condensed set of notes and results from my experiments.

Alcohol worsens/initiates the issue excluding wine which does not for some reason. Excessive heat also causes the issue to occur, for example long walks in the sun. I live in Thailand so heat is practically impossible to avoid when going outside.

I once injured my back in 2011 during a speedboat ride in which a large wave ejected me from my seat and I landed (back in the speedboat thankfully!) strongly on my back. I had a rather painful back for the following week or two but that was all. However I am doubtful that this incident from eight years ago has any relation to this current issue which has been ongoing for perhaps two years now. I figured it was worth mentioning nonetheless...

I must always take something in the morning before 12PM otherwise the backache and headaches start. Coffee or a breakfast cereal high in Vitamin B's seems to be effective.

One theory I have is that I'm deficient in Vitamin B12 however my experiments seem to indicate this may be part of the issue but not the full story as such.

Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions you have on the possible cause(s) of this issue and possible solutions.

Espresso Coffee - Very effective, seemingly the easiest, most reliable and healthiest option.

Red Bull Energy Drink (Thai version that is advertised as having extra B12 and not sold in other countries as far as I'm aware) - Highly effective within minutes of drinking it but certainly not a healthy long-term solution.

Electrolyte drinks - Helps depending on the brand.

Icecream - Helps sometimes.

Bananas - Helps sometimes.

Multi-B Complex - Effective most of the time if taken with a large meal.

Breakfast cereal high in Vitamin B's - Effective at preventing the issue from occurring if taken in the morning.

Paracetamol - Sometimes is a quick solution to remove the pain.

Choline Supplement - Does not help.

Lecithin Supplement - Does not help.

Magenesium Supplement - Does not help.

Vitamin D Supplement - Does not help.

Calcium Supplements - Sometimes helps depending on the brand and sometimes actually seems to cause the issue, highly confused with this.

[Zest]

Hi Richard1988

Welcome to the Healthy eating forum.

Zest

[Fran182716 Prediabetic]

Hi Richard1988 ,

Whilst a healthy diet with all the right nutrients can help to stave off many illnesses associated with poor nutrition, your issue sounds much more mechanical and could absolutely be related to your speedboat injury several years on. My own example of this is slipping and falling down a flight of stairs when I was age 27 and six months pregnant. My upper back hurt but at the time everyone, me included, was only worried about the baby (who was fine). Only after five years of on/off pain and a dislocated rib did an x ray show an old wedge fracture. I’m 54 now and have strengthened this area with exercise but there are still some specific movements I have to avoid (don’t want another dislocated rib).

I think as this has been going on a while you do need to see a doctor. By all means get some blood tests to make sure your vitamin levels are in the healthy range as your body needs that to heal and build strength. I don’t know what your healthcare system offers in Thailand but I would highly recommend seeing a qualified physiotherapist as a doctor can diagnose but the physios are the experts in repairing damage as far as possible.

Good Luck 😀

Edited to add, headaches and backaches can also be the result of poor posture and/ or stress as your muscles can hold a lot of tension without you being consciously aware of it. So worth bearing those causes in mind those too.

[Richard1988 in reply to Fran182716]

Thank you, there is some fantastic info and advice here which I’ve noted. Out of curiosity, what type of x ray did you get, was it a particular type such as MRI? Yes, blood tests sound worthwhile. You are spot on regarding stress, I believe that occasionally initiates/worsens this issue for me too. I believe massages have significantly improved the situation in the past, I have not had one in a long time.

[Fran182716 Prediabetic in reply to Richard1988]

Hi Richard, it was just a standard X ray of the upper back. Good luck with getting to the root of your pain 🍀

[1234Mm]

I’m not sure if it’s a nutritional problem at all. I really think you should get your back checked for wear and tear and possibly some slipped disks. Good luck!