sci nurse/dr. young-urinary antiseptics

[crags]

i had a discussion with my urologist's nurse regarding a refill of my hipprex scrip. she said that (after discussion with the md) that there's little research based evidence to support taking these meds to prevent uti. she said however, that he had no objection to me continuing it and the decision is mine.

two questions:
1. from your experience, is the bulk of the "evidence" to support these meds anectdotal rather than scientific?
2. does it matter what type of bladder mgmt one is on in deciding whether to use it?

i used to be a reflex voider using condom/bag and now cath into my augmented bladder. she said it's the regular cathing that's really the key to infection prevention, though i'm actually introducing a foreign object 6x/day whereas on the condom it was no times. granted my residuals were no good on the condom.

my feeling is to stay on it, though that may just be the insecurity of a 13 yr habit. a last thought..how can you be colonized with a bacteria and be fine and at other times be sick from the same bug. can urine antiseptics help to keep the colonization "under control" and keep the environment from becoming susceptible to invasion?

thank you