I will answer the cut and paste questions, and am posting this in an effort to get some guidance about how to lift according to NROLW with this issue. I have a log on the training forum, if it would help to look at my workouts. It's called "season of recovery."
1. When did the pain begin?
August, more or less.
2. What were you doing at the time? Or did the pain come on gradually over time?
I row competitively, so that, I suppose. The pain is intermittent, but over time it has gotten more frequent and significantly more intense.
3. Where, anatomically, is the pain?
Low back, superficially. Right leg, specifically. The herniated disc is pinching my sciatic nerve.
4. What does the pain feel like? Sharp? Dull? Aching? Stabbing? Shooting?
All of the above 
It's sharp, shooting, in the leg, with frequent numbness in my heel. In my back, it's a dull ache.
5. Is the pain constant, or intermittent, or only on certain motions?
Intermittent, and follows most exercise, but also occurs while standing, walking, and sleeping (oddly enough).
6. What motions make your pain worse?
I honestly don't know. I've not really been able to identify any specific patterns of behavior or exercise that make it worse.
7. What, if anything, makes your pain better?
Sitting up, with legs extended, small pillow under my right knee.
8. Does your pain radiate to any other part of your body?
Nope.
9. What things could you do before, that you cannot do now because of your injury?
Row on the rowing machine (I haven't been in a boat since Thanksgiving, but will be on the water in three weeks), which presents a different load to the lower pack than on-the-water rowing does. I could back squat 165 (1rm), and these days I don't load my spine at all.
10. What is your main concern regarding the pain and its consequences?
I'd like to be able to be comfortable, be healthy, and be able to continue getting stronger as a rower and a lifter (I know these don't necessarily complement each other, but that's what I do...).
11. Have you ever injured that part of your body before? If so, how?
This is my S1. I have degenerating disc issues between L3 and L4 and L5. After a year of PT, those seem to be resolved, but these days my back hurts enough that I am not entirely sure of the source.
12. Is your pain getting worse over time? And if so, how much worse over what time period?
Well, I've now had two rounds of oral steroids, which brought some relief, but that was in November and it got worse in late December. I had an epidural last week, and am hoping for another one in six weeks. It is better since the epidural, noticeably, but it's still keeping me awake at night, I'm still afraid to load my spine, and my workouts are still limited because of the pain and the fear of making it worse. I begin PT on Monday.
Thank you so much for reading all of this; I know it's long. Any suggestions regarding treatment or lifting or just how to sit and sleep comfortably are greatly appreciated.
Kate