happens to me aswell, i nearly always go down a frustrating ammount of my buyin before starting to win. and on ocassion i make an apalling read and drop the whole lot.

To improve on this i've started playing like a rock for first 30 mins or so.
AK, AQ, and any pp. AQ only from LP.

This sets me up to bluff the more observant players in later hands and then when the moment is right, show a bluff. The action increases. i loosen up a bit, (start playing suited connectors and other marginals, Ax suited, AJ/KQ/KJ from LP.) hence get paid off for the big hands.

I play a much lower limit than you i think, so i cant say that the same applies at a higher level due to my lack of expierience playing there.