do heating pads help with cramping pain?

This is the worst cramping I can remember since first getting UC. Do heating pads help? Any other tips for easing the pain/discomfort? Usually Tylenol does nothing for me but I can try it again.

I am obsessed w/ my heating pad. I lay w/ one every night. It helps lower back pain and cramps. I actually bought a back up in case one dies.

Do you have bentyl? Out of the anti spasmatics I have had the best luck w/ it.

Sometimes heat...but sometimes ice!

Although I don't have the same dx as many of you, when I'm bloated from IBS like symptoms, I use a heating pad. And sometimes fall asleep with one, turning it off half way thru the night. We also still have my husband's old post-college bed purchase, a waterbed and we'll never give it up. It's so soothing when I don't feel well. I also wear fleece pants and warm sox in the winter, all around the house, not just overnight. To get warm when I'm not well, I put all of these clothing items in the dryer for 5 minutes. I swear but that makes me feel instantly somewhat better. We keep Biederback fleece blankets on our couches and I put one of those in the dryer too, when I'm really achy and chilly from repeated trips to the bathroom.

Heat is certainly my GI tract friend. Big time.

You can also try those microwave heating bags, i think they are filled with rice. I couldnt live without mine lol, use it everyday for cramps and aches!

I will check into those microwave bags. Are they easy to find? Thanks guys! The cramping went eased after about an hour and I was able to get some good sleep thankfully.