Hydrocortisone vs Mesalamine rectal suspension

Hello! Does anyone know the main difference between the two? I rarely use it...only during a flare, and now I'm flaring so my dr. called in another prescription for me. Except this time it is the Mesalamine one, and I'm use to having the Hydrocortisone one. I'm wondering if my Dr. made a mistake, or if the pharmacy did? Mmmm..any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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29 yr old female, Columbus Ohio
Diagnosed with UC at age 14.
Colazel, Remicade ever 8 weeks, folic acid, multi vitamin, calcium

Have been in remission ever since I started Remicade over 2 years ago.

The mesalamine is the same medication as asacol, colazal, etc.  It's just placed directly into the colon when you use the enema.  I use these fairly regularly.  The hydrocortisone is a steroid, so it is generally used when you need something more than mesalamine.  I use these when flaring and the mesalamine enemas stop working.  Definitely try the mesalamine first.  Save the steroids for when absolutely needed. 

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Leslie, 29~ left-sided UC diagnosed in 1999

In my experience the steroid enemas worked immediately to stop bleeding & shrink swollen inflamed tissues, then within a few days, reduced no. of bms, too. They also relieved my "weak-in-the-knees" feeling of exhaustion. By comparison, the mesalamine enemas do not work as fast; one has to be patient with them because they can take 8 weeks or longer to stop a flare. They are not absorbed fully so that one can feel sloshing liquid in lower left side & have mostly liquid bms while taking them nightly. They work topically to reduce inflammation, whereas the steroid enemas work both topically & systemically-- so they do not ordinarily cause major side effects, such as bone loss that can occur with longtime steroid use. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently taking 3 Colazal daily; seem to be back in remission)