I Broke My Wrist. Tips? —Update

You poor thing!
First - for the swelling to go down you'll need to keep it elevated, and this is the best way to do that:


Having it lower (at boob level) is OK once the swelling has gone down, but now, immediately after cast, if a full cast is applied or after surgery If needed), higher is better, and less painful.
Also elevate it in a couple of pillows when you sleep.

I have no real advice for doing things with the non dominant hand, other than just using it and it getting easier the more you do it.
Just wear comfortable clothes you can pull on without buttons or zips - a bra may be hard unless someone helps you.
I don't remember where you are living now - is ordering in groceries/meals an option?
If you have family & friends who offer to help - say yes! You've got an injury and it's OK to let others help you and it's OK not to do all the things you normally do.

I'm sorry that you are dealing with this, hope your recovery is quick and pain free.

I found this YouTube video of a lady with two kids and two dogs who also broke her wrist and who has made a video with some tips for coping.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=xVP6wp9FdRE

Hints include a waterproof sleeve, pump action dispenser for shampoo, moisturiser etc. Pizza cutter for cutting toast. She even shows how how to achieve a ponytail or bun one handed.

I'm sure YouTube will make more video suggestions on the same topic.

I think I read somewhere that you can get a kit to add a handheld bidet to a normal toilet, that might be useful.

Ouch! I'm sorry

Ouch, sorry to hear that! I hope you are on the mend soon. Once the swelling is down, the pain is minimal.

I agree with the poster above, that a shower may still be the way to go, just cover the cast.

I injured my right shoulder a couple of years ago, and ran a bath and didn't think about it. Maybe you are more lithe than me, but I could NOT get out of that bathtub! (I did, eventually, because I was home alone, but I would have called DH in to help. I wasn't a graceful scene!)

I broke my wrist a couple years ago and fortunately for me it was my left one. The worst part of it was the week I was in a splint that went above my elbow. Even though I had a fully functioning right hand I struggled to do my hair, pull up my pants, and shower. I needed help with a lot of basic things. I got long plastic gloves for showering that week and that was helpful. I spent pretty much that entire week in my papasan chair with my arm above my head. It was the only place I was comfortable. I was lucky that I didn’t have pain and didn’t need surgery. Once I moved onto my brace a week later my quality of life improved dramatically. I was expecting that I would be in a cast and when they gave me a brace that could easily be removed I was overjoyed. Seriously, the first few days feel like they are measured in dog years. Once you get past that it will be so much better. I am so sorry you got hurt. Mine was a pickle ball injury. My sister keeps bugging me to play again. Pass.

Oh goodness. Not only a painful injury but such an aggravating one. I’d be wearing my husband’s name out calling him to help me with everything! I guess that’s my only tip for you. Lol.

Ouch! I’m so sorry - what a PITA.

I broke my wrist 8 years ago, but it was my non-dominant one. Once I was casted, it was much less painful.

I hope that your swelling goes down quickly and that you are more comfortable once casted. (((Hugs)))

Ouch! Hopefully the ortho gets to you soon and the swelling goes down quickly. Last year I had hand surgery and while it was on my non-dominant hand it was still difficult to do many things. For your hair, I recommend getting a salon to do a shampoo and blow dry every few days. If you have a regular stylist, she may work a price deal with you. For the toilet, elastic waists are helpful. Since it is summer sundresses or skirts would be easy as well. Hope that you are feeling better soon.

Shattered my dominant wrist and broke both bones of my arm in February. I feel for you. I had to have surgery to fix it a week later, then a week after threw a hematoma to my pelvis and landed in hospital a week unable to walk for 3 days. I'm on a bloodthinner, everythings complicated with me.

I had a sugar tong splint after initial ER visit. Then again after surgery which was a week later. 3 weeks or so after surgery I was in removable splint.

I didn't shower until in removable splint. I took sink baths with soapy water and really wet washrags(just so I felt like I'd showered) also did this standing in shower with a pail of water. Could control where the water went better, while being aware where my arm was as well. I washed hair in kitchen sink one handed but poorly. Went to my hairdresser once for a shampoo and got a needed trim too.

Bras I pulled on over my head already secured, probably horrible for the elastic but only way I could do it.

I wiped with my left hand. It does get easier. I struggled more with brushing teeth left handed oddly..

Water bottles and such I'd hold between my like elbow area and body. Also would wedge things between the counter and my body and open. Or in a drawer while leaning on against it to hold it *shut* with pressure against it. Sometimes I'd sit and hold stuff between my thighs. I was watching my toddler grand daughter too so had to open lots of things. I stayed at my daughter's so she would pre open my sprites for me to break the initial seals. I made sandwiches and did diapers and such basically with left hand- did get easier once got in removable splint.

I did about 8-10 weeks of therapy but have better range of motion than my ortho thought I'd get back.

It all still hurts quite often which I just guess is normal. And I still have some weakness in that wrist. My fingers hurt a lot and still do some, so don't let that surprise you

I broke my dominant wrist twice and found wearing dresses the easiest for me. Also get a denim jacket once it’s cast because you don’t want the cast to snag your clothing like mine did until I got one. Eating was the worst for me. I had to get others to cut my food for me. I had 4 breaks though. Showering is the best for hygiene. Learning to brush your teeth and write are not fun.

I am so very sorry this has happened to you. I don't have any advice but please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers. 

Your daughter may show this or already has but something that I did was called Tendon Glides, there are youtube videos but I was showed it in occupational therapy. It doesn't seem like a lot but my fingers really hurt and were tight, still are at times, and the tendon glides helped I still catch myself doing them. If offered DO therapy if you can at least some . I feel like it really helped and had a great therapist.