Getting your seat and handlebar position set up for your body is vital. Most people don't ride full time in the drops. You can ride with your hands on the top bar, on the brake hoods, on the sides. You could also raise that stem to the max so that you are more upright and comfortable. Tilt the brake hoods up so that you have somewhere comfortable to rest your hands. Actually, a drop bar gives you more of a variety of positions than a flat bar like on a hybrid. Also, good padded gloves can make you more comfortable.