Being Elemental is harder than enhanced sham due to the lack of items for them (spell power / hit for exemple).
It was a easier when classic was out and no one was geared. But now to compete with ppl who can easily gear in ZG/AQ.

I think it won't be a problem to do BRD/LBRS, but you should go there with one or two level above to be in a safe position.
Or if you are rich enough to buy some LQE to get some great stat for that.

Totems will be super important and as an advice get a mage for your consumables ^^ ! (mana hungry).

As you mentionned before, I'm a bit confused about the /follow ... And I think I will stop my 5 sham TBC project because of that (for arena purpose). It will be to risky so i'll switch on a regular team for dungeons.