Is this the correct way to remove beads for Effexor withdrawal?

I've responded with many posts on the topic of Effexor XR. I was on it for a decade and a half, with horrid side effects including very high BP and heart palpitations. I won't write again about all that I went through, since that definitely is elsewhere here in mayoconnect. But I'l respond to the bead counting and the DYI approach of tapering then stopping the drug: NOT recommended. I am not a licensed health professional but do have a medical background, along with lots of info gleaned from extensive research via reputable sources. Effexor is not a drug to monkey with. Definitely not meant to just stop taking it since it can indeed impact on your heart, and yes even cardiac arrest.
In my case, I reached out to a trusted neurologist who created a tapering schedule/calendar for me, and supervised my responses as I went on that very difficult journey. No bead counting. (The first I heard of this was here on this site, and could not fathom why anyone would do that.) It took a great deal of perseverance but the tapering under supervision got me to where I wanted to be: sans Effexor in my life. No more hellish, heart-pounding night terrors and nightmares. No more "brain numbness" as I called how I couldn't think, make decisions, plan anything, which was so tough since I taught high school Spanish on several levels including advanced placement and college credit. To cut to the chase, I got the Effexor out of my life and started to feel a level of "normalcy" despite still coping with depression.

Please don't undertake tapering/weaning off ANY medication without medical supervision. There are many drugs that can indeed cause problems that no one wants layered on top of whatever issues you are dealing with. For example, I was on prednisonal drops for acute uveitis and the ocular immunologist gave me a specific tapering schedule when it was time to stop the medication. Could not just stop taking, had to be gradual.

And definitely do NOT just stop taking this or any medication without discussing with the prescribing doctor and even your primary physician. Way too many effects on your body can be triggered by suddenly depriving your system from that which it has been feeding on for whatever period of time, especially if it's been years (such as what was my situation).

There is a plethora of info on this drug which I refer to as the Demon Drug. Info from established medical and research institutes both here and abroad, not WebMd.

After the evil Effexor, several years later (still dealing with MDD and anxiety disorder) I sought therapy with a psychiatric nurse. She was great but recommended sertraline (Zoloft). Again my body was assaulted with negative, scary effects. But she worked on a tapering schedule for the drug, and that journey also was overwhelming and scary. I've written about that also here on this site. No way I could have done that without her help, which also included dealing with measured drops of the drug since I had whooshing sound in my ears and nervousness . Yes, drops which only a medical professional would have been able to acknowledge the need for.

BOTTOM LINE: I did what was best for me, based on sound medical advice, assistance and guidance. I've been asked here on this site to offer my tapering schedule. I've refused to do that because what worked for ME may not work for someone else, and I am not a licensed professional to offer what is indeed medical advice. Not meant as a judgement call. I agree with Colleen and others who have stated that bead counting is not supported by doctors, and she gave the reason why. I'm taking it one step further and voicing once more that anyone wanting to get this drug (or any other antidepressant for that matter) should incorporate professional assistance, for one's own safety and best possible success.