Consider yourself fortunate. You don't say how long you had been on Effexor. The longer one has been on a drug such as this one, the more difficult it will be to taper, deal with the effects on every aspect of the human body as the person prays to make it to the end goal. That you had no effects is another fortunate aspect for you, because that is not the norm.
Understand that this is not a criticism, but counting the beads within the capsules is not supported by medical professionals and institutions. Yes, quite a few members on this site have posted of their successful attempts just by counting down on the beads. And just as many have told of the difficulties and hardships while on those journeys, some returning to the higher levels just to stop the harsh effects.
Wishing you a future without needing to take any antidepressants so that you will never have to chance having the challenging and draining effects that is part of the process of having your body struggle to adjust to not having the drug in your system. Because it is hell on earth.