If you can't ride in the drops for long periods of time, your bike does not fit. If riding in the drops is painful, your bike does not fit.
If you can't ride without pain or numbness from your saddle, your bike does not fit.
You can't "experiment". Go see a fitter and get it sorted out. It's lots cheaper and most riders do not fully understand the implications of a small change on other areas of your riding position.
Really...
FWIW..I'll ride in the drops most of the time. To stretch out a bit, I'll go to the brake hoods.
Generally, if the drops are not comfortable, it's due to too much variation between the seat and the bars...if the stem's the right size, it can usually be fixed with flipping the stem over. Not lowering the seat, assuming that the leg extension was already correct.
And I can tell you stories about riders who flat refuse to have the stem up for "looks" but then ride sitting up most of the time...or how many bikes I've sold to folks who spend most of the time on their old bike riding on the tops of the bars with their hands next to the stem. Because their bike does not fit.
Get your bike to fit.
Really....it's a lot more fun.