Peripheral nerve hyperexcitability is a condition whereby the nerve cells become over excited due to a fault that will probably be an autoimmune defect. This results in spontaneous muscle fibre activity in the form of twitching and cramps, that are benign.(sound familiar).
The term PNH covers disorders that basicaly have the same symptoms i.e. twitching and cramps, but there are slight variations in EMG findings that results in different names being used. BFS is the name used when only single discharges are seen (your case) and Neuromyotonia when single and multiple discharges are seen (my case). Either way it matters little as at the end of the day we all have the same symptoms.
If anyone was diagnosed by my neuro then no matter what the EMG findings showed you would be classed as having PNH although he might say it was the BFS/CFS or Neuromyotonia varient.
Understandably so, people will use the name given them by their neuro and this tends to be BFS. However, given the number of people who complain of cramp along with twitches, I'm surprised more are not diagnosed with cramp fasciculation syndrome (CFS).
So Ginny, to answer your question PNH and BFS are not the same, PNH is a cause and BFS is a name, but they are related in so much as PNH does cause twitching that is benign.
I hope this helps Steve.
Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today because if you do it today and you like it you can do it again tomorrow. (Benny Hill)
