Hi. Maybe it's just that that med is not right for you. You should keep trying new ones until you find one that suits at the right dose. Not all mood stabilisers make you feel that way. I have to stay on my toes for work and need to stay awake doing nightshift, so I don't like stupefying meds either. The MS I take now has little to no side effects. I felt drowziness for a week, now not at all. I can even take a morning dose with no grogginess. So just repeating, you need to go to your doc with your concerns and start trying some new ones. There will be a right med out there for you. Don't give up. Have a little faith. And don't just stop taking it, and without a substitute. Don't stop taking it abruptly either. You will go into severe withdrawals and possibly suffer a major episode. Persevere, it is worth it, and you will get there.
Good luck, take care and keep us posted on your progress and any other developments.