EMMERDALE star Gemma Oaten has opened up on a “really horrible” Easter which saw her rushed to hospital after contracting a condition which could have proved fatal.
The actress, 37, posted a black and white selfie from her hospital bed during her terrifying illness – which came amid a bout of Covid – after being admitted to a ward at the weekend.
Gemma has now told how she has been diagnosed with milk alkali syndrome – a condition in which there is a high level of calcium in the body.
This can consequently shift the body’s acid base to alkaline and cause a loss of kidney function.
Gemma, who played Rachel Breckle on the ITV soap, has now reassured fans she is on the mend with a new series of snaps and a lengthy caption.
One image saw her waving to the camera while another captured her cosmetics products, magazines and puzzle books to keep her entertained.
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In a sad segment at the end, she uploaded screen grabs of messages from cruel internet trolls who had accused her of “taking up” a bed and suggesting her images were inappropriate.
In a lengthy caption, Gemma wrote: “Hi everyone. I’m so sorry I’ve been quiet. I’ve been inundated with messages and tried to keep up, as have my parents, but we’ve hit a brick wall 
“I just thought it best to do an update for all you lovely people so our phones can cool down and we can get some rest at what’s been a really horrible time for us all and my close family and friends.
“So…I’ve been in hospital since Saturday and things quickly took a turn for the worse. As many know I tested positive for covid last Tuesday but woke early hours Saturday morning with excruciating chest, stomach and back pains. I called 111 for advice and they sent an ambulance and its all been a blur and very surreal, but too real as well if that makes sense?
“Long story short and I’ll explain more when I am ready and fully fit, but I was diagnosed with milk alkali syndrome which in rare and severe cases (like mine) leads to kidney failure or worse, death.
“Yep. All a bit much. Thank you to @henriettamac for making me seek help and pushing me to put me first and for all her care and @joffpowell for bringing me clean knickers and all the magazines and puzzles a girl could dream of and for being my rock as always. Both of you. You’re amazing.
“And to the trolls (swipe through) for your messages… I don’t normally call out keyboard warriors but a lesson needs to be learned. I read these whilst wondering if I would make the night. Think before you type. Kindness means everything.
“On a lighter note. Thank you @ollielockeworld for sending this photo and making me laugh, insta filter dream
“For now self care and rest for me, so please bear with. This has been a wake up call and I need time to process it all too.
“Stay well lovelies, thanks to all the amazing people in my life for the support. Especially mummy and daddy O and my family and real friends 
love you.
“Ps Big shout out to the A&E staff at Charing Cross hospital, Marjory Warren ward. You are absolutely incredible. Thank you for looking after me and for your tireless work.”
She rounded off her message with the quip: “God that took me an hour to type
Tata!”
Yesterday Gemma revealed that she’s had a difficult few days but was in “safe hands” and is determined to “fight back”.
Earlier this year, Gemma opened up about her childhood in psychiatric units as she battled with an eating disorder.
She reflected on her early teens as she recalled the “lack of care available” at the time.
Gemma said that there was “no real therapy” offered which resulted in her relapsing at the age of 14.
The actress said she still suffers from the trauma but admitted that she will continue to “fight”.
Gemma, who swapped the Dales for the cobbles last year as Isla Haywood in Coronation Street, said she thought about taking her own life as she battled anorexia.
“It so easily could have been me. I had anorexia from the age of 10, which led to bulimia in my teens,” she told Fabulous.
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“An eating disorder doesn’t care what’s right or wrong. When it gets hold of a person, it will do everything it can to destroy them.
“It has the highest mortality rate of any mental health illness.”
