Hi Rick,
Do you know exactly at what level you have a bulging disc ?, ( cervical, thoracic or lumbar ), the treatment is not the same
Do you know if you have a nerve pinched by the disc ?
They are so many reasons of this musculoskeletal disorder that is not possible to say if your training is responsible ( I don't think so ),of your condition, but it is not recomanded to lift at all as long as you don't know exactly what is the vertebrae involve.
In my opinion, an MRI is the very first thing to do and you will be orientated for an appropriate treatment. I know very well the price of an MRI in Australia, very expensive, but I also know that this kind of injury can lead to a paralysy of a side of your body if not treated as soon as possible, in case of nerve impingement.
Let us know what is going on.