I've also got the crazy startle thing going on ... to the point sometimes I startle so badly it makes me cry. Doesn't that make me feel like an idiot?!

It used to make my husband and my grown daughter nuts (before she moved out on her own) but after over 2 years, now my husband just rolls his eyes and says "Can't you get over that??"... Umm, no... I can't... I don't startle on PURPOSE!!

The only improvement with the startling I've been able to make is to occasionally control the outburst of swearing that accompanies it. Sometimes I can manage to control the volume of the swearing and at least not yell obscenities and sometimes I can manage to curb them before they get going.

The swearing is new with my injury and very out of character for me and would have never happened pre injury, so it is incredibly embarrassing and alienating to people around me. I've managed to learn to stop it in almost every other situation other than the startling situations, but I keep working on it.

Who knew falling on my head would bring out my inner sailor??
Starr