Have any of you experienced a bulging disk?

I injured my back a couple of weeks ago. Family MD initially thought I had strained a muscle, gave me pain meds and muscle relaxers...didn't help. This pain is in the left side of my back, starts around where the waistband of my jeans go, extends down into my behind and a couple of times into the very top part of my thigh. It's not near the surface, when I touch or press into the area where the pain is, it doesn't hurt more like you'd think it would from a damaged muscle. And it doesn't hurt when I walk, stand, lay down or sit reclined...but when I sit upright, that's when it starts. I can't hardly stand to sit for more than 10-15 minutes. Have finished many meals standing up since this happened. A friend of mine who is a nurse said to have my DR sent me for an MRI, that she thinks I might have a bulging disk. If anyone reading this has had a bulging disk or knows anyone close who has, does this sound like what you or they went through? ANY info appreciated!