Tips for coping with one arm

[SallySolardel]

I had surgery yesterday which has left me with the use of one arm for the next few weeks. I'm struggling with everything! Does anyone have any tips on how to cope?

So far I haven't done my hair (but I'm not leaving the house) and I've got some loose dresses that don't have buttons or fastenings. I've mastered making hot drinks with one hand!

You may have received something like this but if not there are some tips here.

www.rdash.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/DP4519-One-handed-activities-web.pdf

Washing your hair-flip the lid on the bottle, use your good arm to lift it and squeeze some into your bad arms hand. Put bottle back. Scoop shampoo/conditioner out of bad hand with good arm’s hand and wash hair with just your good arm. Never feels quiiiite as clean but I got through months of one-armed-ness like this. Depending on how much you can move the bad arm you could do a low side pony tail or braid? Or just wear it down.

Jars are a nightmare, stick to sachets that can be torn as much as possible!

It depends how much use you have of your shoulder/elbow as to how tricky it might be. You’ll pick it up as you go along though. The first few days are a learning curve!

Also this. www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/therapies/physiotherapy/managing-daily-tasks-with-one-hand.pdf

[quote SpangleBug]You may have received something like this but if not there are some tips here.

www.rdash.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/DP4519-One-handed-activities-web.pdf[/quote]
Thank you so much! I didn't get anything expect a booklet about preventing blood clots. I'll have to read through all the tips but it looks helpful.

Filling a kettle is a bugger. If you’re a tea drinker, microwave water until it’s boiling then add a tea bag. It’s not ideal, but less risk of doing yourself a mischief.

I find filling a kettle one handed easy, just don't overfill, but I guess it depends what type of kettle you have. Mine opens with a press of a button so that helps.

I have nerve damage to both arms so I often lose the use of one or both arms, and have to do a lot of things one handed but unfortunately my mind has just gone blank on tips. I'll have to think. I do rely a lot on using my mouth to help me get dressed.

Do you live alone?

I had my carpal tunnel surgery a few years ago and while I had the bandage on I couldn't use that hand at all. DHS would make me a sandwich before he left in the morning as i couldn't do it. Also he had to cut up my dinner!

Jars are a pita but doable. Put a towel underneath them, I usually fold it around them and press it up against an heavy object with your arm or crook of arm if possible. I use the microwave to press it against and turn. If it's a fresh jar I whack the side of the lid on the work surface(do be careful though) until I hear a pop, then open as above. You can hit them with a knife too on the edge of the lid but I find the other method to be more efficient.

To open large bottles and milk cartons I press them between my body and the kitchen worktop then turn.

I tend to have foods like pasta that don't require cutting when my arm isn't functioning. Anything that can be eaten with just a fork or spoon.

Just out of plaster myself and it drove me insane. I bought one of these for showering:
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004J71MLG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

And some of these for shampoo conditioner etc

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B087R8YTGQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

Nobody was allowed to do the lid up on the jar of coffee, so I could still make myself a drink.

Bra - do it up at the front and twist it round. I would trap one end under the good arm then swing it round the back and catch the other end. Loose clothes, I went for harem pants and loose t-shirts, but I didn't need to go out.

I was lucky that DH was around and we basically switched jobs, I fed the dog which I could do one handed, and he cooked.

Kindles are better than books if you read lots

I'll keep thinking, or post if there is a specific issue you're having

Ooh another one - I have a loofah on a stick for washing my back - I found I could use it for washing the "good" armpit and other areas the "bad" hand would normally wash.

At the moment I pretty much have no use of my hand and lower arm - I can use my upper arm so can wedge things between my arm and my side. I'm hoping this will improve over the next few days but currently it hurts to wiggle my fingers.

My partner has been cooking in the evening and leaving something in the fridge for me, and I can manage to warm it up. I can also make cereal for breakfast.

For the kettle, I've got a jug that I stand in the sink under the tap because I don't want the bottom of the kettle to get wet. And yes, autumn dragon I don't put the lid fully on the coffee pot either!

One thing I am finding difficult is getting tablets out of the blister pack. My partner has been pressing them out and leaving them in a tub for me. Is there any easier way?!

Is it your dominant arm that's out of action?

A blister pack from the pharmacy or the blister pack that you get paracetamol and Ibruprofen in?

With the latter I just put it flat side down on a surface, bend the tablet section I want up with my thumb while pressing the tablet out with my index finger. I use my nail to scrape away a bit of foil if it still won't go. You can also pierce the foil before which should make it a little easier.

If it's the former I stab or cut it with a knife or the end of scissors, upend it over a cup and press down with my thumb.

@AutumnDragon

Ooh another one - I have a loofah on a stick for washing my back - I found I could use it for washing the "good" armpit and other areas the "bad" hand would normally wash.

I went to the disability aid shop and got a sponge on a long stick and a waterproof cover for my arm. I managed to have a shower and felt much better afterwards!

I've started to be able to use my fingers slightly which is helping a lot. I can now hold things if they're really light or use my arm to steady things.