I hesitate to wade in cause I'm a new guy here.

Personally I'd never go so long without lapping a stone. I have largely dismissed JJ because of the dry stone issue among other things. Is he a member
It's never made sense to me regardless.

I don't have a vast collection but I do have some variety of stones. With Arks as soon as its abrasive seems just a little dubbed over i will lap it on a diamond plate to restore fresh grit.

IIrc it was JJ who said an oil stone must always be used with oil. I know this is untrue as I have restored several old gummy Arks with lapping. I use water on all my stones.

I know of no other way to unclog a stone, but there are other benefits to lapping besides cleaning. Do that and get some water on it and I believe you will get the sense you have wasted enough time with the other method.