Tanking @ 60 - Need Help

So last night, I finally dinged 60. 15min later, I'm the newest member of <Force>, and am OTing in UBRS.
Naturally, it didn't go too well. So I decided to try to remedy my gear situation by running DM west. I've noticed that when I try to run anything higher than DM East, I am constantly oom, have to drink after every pull, and my threat humps. Until a few days ago, my Rank 1 Consc did ~50 dmg a tic. Now, it barely does 35.
DPS is often VERY trigger happy, and Rogues LOVE opening with Cheap Shot, sometimes before the mob even gets to me. Not to say it's the DPS's fault; this stuff CAN be Pallytanked, I am simply failing at it.
One thing I realized I have to do differently is mark targets for DPS and cc. That said, I don't wanna have to drink after every pull. Before I would use Rank 1 Consc + SoW/JoW to do this, but Rank 1 Consc automagically got gimp in the past couple of days, and stuff is dying quite quickly.
Basically, what can I do to make Consc hit harder right now, and how do I keep from having to drink after every pull? Is now the time to start popping mana pots like candy? Theloras claimed his R1 Consc hits twice as hard as mine does. I don't doubt it, but how can I duplicate it?
Many thanks in advance!
P.S. I am aware that SOME of you feel I should respec Holy and l2heal. Not gonna happen. Please keep that kind of feedback to yourself.
Naturally, it didn't go too well. So I decided to try to remedy my gear situation by running DM west. I've noticed that when I try to run anything higher than DM East, I am constantly oom, have to drink after every pull, and my threat humps. Until a few days ago, my Rank 1 Consc did ~50 dmg a tic. Now, it barely does 35.
DPS is often VERY trigger happy, and Rogues LOVE opening with Cheap Shot, sometimes before the mob even gets to me. Not to say it's the DPS's fault; this stuff CAN be Pallytanked, I am simply failing at it.
One thing I realized I have to do differently is mark targets for DPS and cc. That said, I don't wanna have to drink after every pull. Before I would use Rank 1 Consc + SoW/JoW to do this, but Rank 1 Consc automagically got gimp in the past couple of days, and stuff is dying quite quickly.
Basically, what can I do to make Consc hit harder right now, and how do I keep from having to drink after every pull? Is now the time to start popping mana pots like candy? Theloras claimed his R1 Consc hits twice as hard as mine does. I don't doubt it, but how can I duplicate it?
Many thanks in advance!
P.S. I am aware that SOME of you feel I should respec Holy and l2heal. Not gonna happen. Please keep that kind of feedback to yourself.