Radio DJ David ‘Kid’ Jensen hallucinates seeing a dog as result of Parkinson’s disease

Former radio DJ David Jensen opened up about his hallucinations and urged people to join a trial for a drug for the disease

Former radio DJ David Jensen hallucinates seeing a dog as result of Parkinson’s disease

Image: Getty/Rex)

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Former radio DJ David Jensen hallucinates seeing a dog as a result of having Parkinson’s disease.

The TV and radio presenter also described “bumping into a strange figure on the stairs when I get up in the night”.

Known by his 70s nickname Kid, the Radio 1 stalwart is urging people to join a trial of a drug for the degenerative brain disease.

David said: “Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011, I have discovered that it’s full of surprises.

"Many people are aware of symptoms such as stiffness and tremors, but there are actually more than 40, including hallucinations.

“Although hallucinations aren’t something most people identify with the condition, three quarters of people with Parkinson’s experience them.

He opened up about his hallucinations

Image:

( Getty Images)

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He gave examples of his hallucinations and said he pets a dog 'who doesn't really exist while out walking' and also 'bumps into' figures on the stairs.

“I count myself lucky that the mythical figures that appear before me are pretty friendly because hallucinations can be extremely distressing.

“The medications currently available to treat hallucinations are far from ideal as they can worsen Parkinson’s symptoms or have serious side-effects.”

The veteran broadcaster, 72, has signed up for a study to see if anti-sickness medicine ondansetron could alleviate hallucinations for sufferers.

Caroline Rassell, head of Parkinson’s UK, said the famous tremors were just one of around 40 Parkinson’s symptoms.

She added: “We’re so grateful to David and others like him who participate in trials to help us find treatments.”

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