Count me into the “it’s been happening forever” camp.
I always assumed it was somehow related to my low blood pressure. If I sit up to fast after I wake up, I get dizzy. If I try to make a fist to fast after I wake up, I can’t.
It does make it hard to open the curtains though. I can’t hold on to the cord to pull it.
You’ll all be pleased to know that presenting the symptoms described by RindaRinda to the local neurologist got a “have your friend go see a doc” response. After questioning about numbness and tingling, that is. I poked around a dusty tome on peripheral neuropathies and came up with not much. There are a few involving the ulnar nerve that are strictly motor syndromes involving only hand muscles, but the catchphrase of “I can’t make a fist when I wake up” didn’t really seem to fit anything in particular.
I’ve got to say that I’m wondering whether or not what everyone is describing is actually a total muscle weakness that’s merely noticed in the hands. The fine work you perform with your hands will make weakness there more apparent. Anyone wanna roll out of bed and try a few leg presses?
Basically, what it’s boiling down to is I dunno and can’t really guess better without more specifics. I’d be interested to hear if one of you all happens to quiz your doc on it next time you’re in the office.
Glad to have been of such help.
-ellis
I don’t think you have a problem as such. It’s just the normal partial paralysis that happens when you sleep persists in some people for longer than others. I wouldn’t worry about it unless it changes for the worse.
I see - what stage are you in, student or intern or resident?
Thanks a LOT, though, for taking an interest in my problem, particularly because it seems like just a matter of curiosity to me, rather than an actual health problem. I appreciate you helping me solve this puzzle.
Can there be fluid accumulating somewhere, even if there isn’t any visible sign of it?
No pain, tingling or numbness or itching or any other unpleasant sensation; just weakness. Only first thing in the morning, too.
It is the exact same every single morning. Like Duggy, I tried it this morning. No fist.
It seems to be just the muscles in my hands. My fingers also seem to move more slowly than normal. My wrists and forearms seem normal.
I will probably follow your advice, though, and ask a doctor in person when I get back. Even if just to satisfy my curiosity.
It certainly doesn’t seem to be a life-threatening situation. However, I would like to know for sure what this is about.
Oh yeah, about the impossibility of, say, doing squats first thing in the morning: I think all people are rather uncoordinated when they first wake up. This weak hand thing seems different - although I might stumble a bit when I first get out of bed, my legs aren’t weak - just uncoordinated. Meaning, I have no problem bending my legs the same way I have bending my fingers. The clumsiness seems to be a “brain” problem rather than a muscle or nerve problem. Does this distinction make sense? Obviously, I have no medical training.
Well, he has a use for it. 
(brows knitted, scratching head) Now what could that be?