millionaire100

I have worked in the US in the summers of 1998 & 1999. In 1999 my employers obtained a Q-visa petition. I worked under this until March 2000 when I returned to England for a short period of time. Before returning to the US to continue my employment I received my Q visa from the US Embassy in London and continued to work until January 2001 when my petition expired. Can I claim my five months from September 1999 to March 2000 when I didn't technically have my visa, merely an approval petition.
If this process is not possible, may I obtain my third J-1 visa to continue my ongoing employment?