ADHD/Adult ADHD

Well....
I started school in August for Computer Networking. I graduated high school in 1992, so going back 17 years later was a little initmidating to say the least. By the middle of my first quarter, I was already struggling with reading the networking stuff and retaining ANY of the stuff I read, even after rereading the chapters 2-3 times. Lucky for me, the tests were open book. I can read the question, know I read something about it and know where to look for the answer, but not remember what I read. I ended up passing the first class with a 90.9% average, but that was indeed thanks to the Open Book part.
About two weeks ago I was trying to read some stuff with the networking class and ended up in a swearing tantrum and shuttin down all windows and walking away from the computer. My younger brother was over to the house and he asked that the hell that was all about. I explained to him all the trouble I had when it came to concentrating and reading this stuff, let alone RETAINING anything I just read. He asked me if I had ever been tested for ADHD. I said that NO I had not because it's not like I'm bouncing off walls or anything. My brother attends the same community college I do and he explained that 2 years ago he was in the same boat. He is going for his RN and EMT degrees and said that he was having a hell of a time concentrating as well and he had asked a doctor about it when he was in for a checkup. The doctor asked him a bunch of questions regarding behavior in certain situations and the past, and go figure... They were all indeed signs of ADHD. He was sent to a behavior specialist and ran some tests as well as did some paperwork. Some paperwork was also sent to his wife, my mom and a good friend of his. When they were all answered, they sent them back to the doctor and sure enough, he had it. He was put on adderall and he said within a few weeks he was starting to retain what he had read and able to focus better.
He also reminded me that our youngest brother was diagnosed when he was 12 with ADHD. He was caught young because he was very boisterous and belligerant. He was placed on Concerta. Within 3 months, he was doing better in school and even accellerating in classes. He was in college calc by 10th grade. I guess it really worked well for him
I decided to look into it myself last week and the doctor asked me about my attention span, daydreaming, impatient driving, impulsive spending and other stuff I had never associated with ADHD. Looking back through my childhood, I realize now that I've had this all along. I've MAYBE read 4 complete books in my life due to the fact that I can't remember what I've read after 3-4 pages. I end up daydreaming as my eyes follow the words. I have one of the worst driving records you could imagine regarding speeding (over 40 tickets and lost my license 8 times). I can read a magazine without problem because the articles are only 2-3 pages long, but I can't read a book. I always was good in the "DO" classes such as art, home ec, shop, welding, etc... But I struggled in any class that involved reading such as reading, math, history, etc... I've been playing guitar for over 20 years, but still play like i've only picked it up 3 months ago because whenever I tried to learn anything, I ended up losing interest, daydreaming and NOT staying on task. whenever i'm idle and trying to do something, my leg will start bouncing like crazy and I don't even realize i'm doing it. It was kind of funny how all those little things made sense to me when looking back at them now with the ADHD idea. The doctor said I had all the signs of ADHD and I have to see a behavior specialist sometime soon.
Anyone here been diagnosed with ADHD? What kind of meds did they put you on? What worked and didn't work for you and how did you improve in life/academics?
I started school in August for Computer Networking. I graduated high school in 1992, so going back 17 years later was a little initmidating to say the least. By the middle of my first quarter, I was already struggling with reading the networking stuff and retaining ANY of the stuff I read, even after rereading the chapters 2-3 times. Lucky for me, the tests were open book. I can read the question, know I read something about it and know where to look for the answer, but not remember what I read. I ended up passing the first class with a 90.9% average, but that was indeed thanks to the Open Book part.
About two weeks ago I was trying to read some stuff with the networking class and ended up in a swearing tantrum and shuttin down all windows and walking away from the computer. My younger brother was over to the house and he asked that the hell that was all about. I explained to him all the trouble I had when it came to concentrating and reading this stuff, let alone RETAINING anything I just read. He asked me if I had ever been tested for ADHD. I said that NO I had not because it's not like I'm bouncing off walls or anything. My brother attends the same community college I do and he explained that 2 years ago he was in the same boat. He is going for his RN and EMT degrees and said that he was having a hell of a time concentrating as well and he had asked a doctor about it when he was in for a checkup. The doctor asked him a bunch of questions regarding behavior in certain situations and the past, and go figure... They were all indeed signs of ADHD. He was sent to a behavior specialist and ran some tests as well as did some paperwork. Some paperwork was also sent to his wife, my mom and a good friend of his. When they were all answered, they sent them back to the doctor and sure enough, he had it. He was put on adderall and he said within a few weeks he was starting to retain what he had read and able to focus better.
He also reminded me that our youngest brother was diagnosed when he was 12 with ADHD. He was caught young because he was very boisterous and belligerant. He was placed on Concerta. Within 3 months, he was doing better in school and even accellerating in classes. He was in college calc by 10th grade. I guess it really worked well for him
I decided to look into it myself last week and the doctor asked me about my attention span, daydreaming, impatient driving, impulsive spending and other stuff I had never associated with ADHD. Looking back through my childhood, I realize now that I've had this all along. I've MAYBE read 4 complete books in my life due to the fact that I can't remember what I've read after 3-4 pages. I end up daydreaming as my eyes follow the words. I have one of the worst driving records you could imagine regarding speeding (over 40 tickets and lost my license 8 times). I can read a magazine without problem because the articles are only 2-3 pages long, but I can't read a book. I always was good in the "DO" classes such as art, home ec, shop, welding, etc... But I struggled in any class that involved reading such as reading, math, history, etc... I've been playing guitar for over 20 years, but still play like i've only picked it up 3 months ago because whenever I tried to learn anything, I ended up losing interest, daydreaming and NOT staying on task. whenever i'm idle and trying to do something, my leg will start bouncing like crazy and I don't even realize i'm doing it. It was kind of funny how all those little things made sense to me when looking back at them now with the ADHD idea. The doctor said I had all the signs of ADHD and I have to see a behavior specialist sometime soon.
Anyone here been diagnosed with ADHD? What kind of meds did they put you on? What worked and didn't work for you and how did you improve in life/academics?