Odds are you've skipped too many side quests. This applies to both you and to your gear. The greater the disparity, the less damage you do, and the more you take. The way this game works, there is a VERY steep damage gradient based on level disparity.
What is the quest level of the main story quest you are working on? Originally posted by gerald the rat:i am level 23 and i am playing as handsome jack, the enemies have too much health and it takes like 30 shots to kill one enemy and they do so much damage when i am in a fight i die like 4 times
